The final funeral rites of former Black Star’s maestro, Christian Atsu Twasam, is currently underway at the forecourt of the State House in Accra.
The body of the 33-year-old philanthropist is laid at the State House for filing past, after which it would be sent to his hometown, Dogobome, Ada, for burial.
President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, and the Chief of Staff, Madam Akosua Frema Osei-Opare joined hundreds of mourners, including officials of the Ghana Football Association and footballers, to pay their last respect to Atsu
As early as 05:30 am, mourners, some foreigners, started gathering at the forecourt of the State House, as the football fraternity joined the family, Ghana and the rest of the world to bid farewell to the international football star.
It is a solemn atmosphere as tributes pour in memory of Atsu. His alma mater, Potsin T. I Ahmadiyya Senior High School, described him as an exemplary person and a philanthropist. They said they were pained that just a few days of sending a message to indicate his readiness to support developmental projects in the School, he died in the tragic earthquake in Türkey early February 2023.
So far, the funeral service is characterised by traditional drumming and singing of hymns as people file past his casket. What is on the lips of many is his ‘million-dollar’ smile.
President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia arrived at the funeral ground at about 0900 hours amid chorale music.
Other dignitaries such as the former President John Dramani Mahama, who is vying to lead the NDC party, Mr Kennedy Agyapong, the Member of Parliament (MP) for Assin Central and a flagbearer hopeful for the New Patriotic Party (NPP), and some Ministers, including the Sports Minister, Mustapha Ussif and the President of the Ghana Football Association (GFA), Kurt Okraku are in attendance amid chorale music. The Ghana Police Band is also in attendance.
Christian Atsu was known for his humanitarian works, having worked with Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) to make his dream of putting smiles on the faces of the less privileged, a reality.
The former Hatayspor man left behind three children and a wife. Marie-Claire Rupio, who has been married to the Ghanaian footballer for about 11 years broke down in tears when reading the tributes to the late husband.
Atsu played over 60 matches for the Black Stars of Ghana and managed to net ten goals with nine assists.
The former Newcastle Player died early last month in a tragic earthquake disaster that struck Turkey and some parts of Syria which took more than 50,000 lives.
