US, British envoys to Ghana mourn Aliu Mahama’s death

The US Ambassador and the British High Commissioner to Ghana have both expressed their deepest sympathy to the people of Ghana over the passing away of former Vice President, Alhaji Aliu Mahama.
Alhaji Aliu Mahama died at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital November 16, 2012 at the age of 66.
He served as Vice President to former President John A. Kufuor from January 2001 – January 2009, becoming Ghana’s longest serving Vice President.
On behalf of the US Embassy, Ghana and the people of the United States, Ambassador Gene Cretz in a statement said “I want to send my deepest sympathies to the people of Ghana and the friends, family, and loved ones of Former Vice President H.E. Alhaji Aliu Mahama.
“My thoughts and prayers are with all the people of Ghana during this difficult time,” Ambassador Cretz added.
The British High Commissioner to Ghana, Mr. Peter Jones also expressed his deepest condolences to the wife, family and the people of Ghana on the demise of the former Vice President.
He said, “I am deeply saddened to hear about the death of former Vice President Alhaji Aliu Mahama. He distinguished himself as a two-term Vice President of the Republic of Ghana and will be greatly remembered. Our thoughts and prayers are with his wife and family, and the people of Ghana on this difficult day.”
A State funeral was held for the Late Aliu Mahama this morning at the Independence Square, an event that was attended by President John Mahama, former Presidents J. A. Kufuor and J.J. Rawlings as well as representatives of all the political parties.
Chief Justice and the Speaker of Parliament together with members of the diplomatic corps also attended.
The Late Aliu Mahama will be buried at his private residence in Tamale before end of today November 18, 2012.
Aliu Mahama was born in Yendi on March 3, 1946. He was a Quantity Surveyor by profession.
He attended the Government Secondary School, Tamale from 1960-67 for his Ordinary and Advanced Level Certificates. He proceeded to the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) from 1967-71 where he obtained the BSc degree in Building Technology.
Alhaji Aliu Mahama started his working career at the Bolgatanga regional office of the State Construction Corporation as an Engineer/Construction from 1972-75. He was promoted to Assistant Regional Manager and posted to the Koforidua Regional Office of the Corporation from 1975-76.
He held the position of Regional Manager in charge of the Northern Region, Tamale from June 1976 – August 1982. In 1982 he successfully established his own Civil Engineering and General Construction Firm – LIDRA Limited and became its Managing Director.
He became the Chairman of the Northern Regional Contractors Association in 1996 until the December 2000 Elections.
Alhaji Aliu Mahama was also an Alumnus of the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration. In order to sharpen and deepen his management and leadership skills, he obtained two certificates from the Institute in Project Planning and Management and in Leadership.
He had exceptional interest in Local Governance and Community Development. Accordingly he was Councillor, Yendi District Council in 1978 and Assemblyman, Tamale Municipal Assembly in 1990. He was the Chairman of the Economic Development Committee of the Tamale-Louisville Sister State Committee.
He was a Board member of several Secondary and Tertiary Schools in the Northern Region including the Tamale Polytechnic.
In his leisure time, he loved reading, football and badminton. He was a founding member of the Real Tamale United Football Club. He also led a campaign against indiscipline in Ghana.
 
Ghanabusinessnews.com