The State Funeral rites in honor of the late Hajia Ramatu Aliu Mahama, wife of former Vice President of Ghana, Alhaji Aliu Mahama is underway at the forecourt of the State House in Accra.
The government of Ghana, represented by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia and their spouses and the families of Zongo Naa Mahama and Alhaji Imoro Egala would lead the funeral rituals.
The National Chief Imam, Dr Sheikh Osman Nuhu Sharabutu has led the Muslim community to recite the Holy Quran to pray for the soul of the former Second Lady, the bereaved family and the nation as a whole.
Dignitaries present include former President John Agyekum Kufuor, Ministers of State, Members of Parliament, Members of the Diplomatic Corps, former Ministers of State and leading members of the governing New Patriotic Party and the National Democratic Congress.
Kinsmen from the north have also arrived in their colourful traditional regalia amidst drumming and dancing to participate in the funeral.
Meanwhile, the National Chief has led the Muslim community to recite the Holy Quran to pray for the former Second Lady as part of activities earmarked for the funeral.
Her Excellency Hajia Ramatu Aliu Mahama (nèe Egala) was born on Monday, October 15, 1951 in Tamale in the northern region.
Hajia Ramatu Mahama was the daughter of the late Imoro Egala, a former Minister for Trade and Industry, Minister for Foreign Affairs, Minister for Health, former Member of Parliament for Tumu from 1954 to 1966, first Ghanaian Chairman of Ghana Cocoa Board and a stalwart in Ghana through to the third Republic.
She became Ghana’s Second Lady from 7th January, 2001 to 7th January, 2009, under the tenure of President John Agyekum Kufuor when her husband Alhaji Aliu Mahama was the Vice President.
Hajia Ramatu Aliu Mahama had four children, namely; Salma Aliu Mahama, Farouk Aliu Mahama, Fayad Aliu Mahama and Halim Aliu Mahama, all of whom are flourishing in their respective fields of endeavour.
