The Northern Regional Minister, Mr. Shani Alhassan Shaibu, has said the late Hajia Ramatu Aliu Mahama, former Second Lady of Ghana has been his personal friend for the past four decades.
“I have known her for the past forty years even before His Excellency Alhaji Aliu Mahama became the Vice President. I had personal interactions with her when she was a teacher; my child was attending her school, in her class, so that brought me closer to her – so she is a personality that I have known” he said.
Alhaji Shani stated the news of his friend’s death came to him as a big blow and he was yet to come to terms with the unfortunate incident.
He recounted his last conversation with the deceased was through the mobile phone of her son, Hon Farouk Aliu Mahama when they had an extensive chat.
“So the news of her death is definitely a blow to me and that is why I am here to mourn with the family and to show my respect because of the relationship that existed between us” he indicated.
The Regional Minister made the remarks in an exclusive interview with THE CUSTODIAN after he signed the Book of Condolence at the bereaved family house in Tamale.
Meanwhile, the wife of the late Alhaji Aliu Mahama was laid to rest on Saturday after the government of Ghana held an Islamic state funeral in Accra.
Former President John Agyekum Kufuor, First Lady Rebecca Akufo-Addo, Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, Second Lady Samira Bawumia, Ministers of State, Members of Parliament among other dignitaries file passed the body to pay their respect before His Eminence the National Chief, Dr Osman Nuhu Sharubutu led a congregation to observe an Islamic prayer (Salat al-Janaza) on the remains before it was airlifted to Tamale.
The Northern Regional Chief, Sheikh Abdul Salam Ahmed also led Muslims in Tamale to pray for the dead at the Jubilee Park before it was finally buried.
