Tamale Mourns: Hundreds gather for final rites of late Minister Dr Ibrahim Mohammed Murtala
The final Islamic funeral rites for the former Minister for Environment, Science and Technology, Dr Ibrahim Mohammed Murtala, have been performed in Tamale today, drawing hundreds of mourners and sympathisers from across the country.
Among the dignitaries present at the funeral, otherwise known as the “Third Day Adua,” were the National Chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Johnson Asiedu Nketiah; Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah Kofi Buah; Minister of Education, Haruna Iddrisu; Northern Regional Minister, Adolf Ali John; Deputy Minister for Roads and Highways, Alhassan Suhuyini; Former Minister for Finance, Mohammed Amin Adam; Majority Chief Whip, Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor; and Minister for the Interior, Muntaka Mohammed Mubarak.
The solemn occasion, which marked the "Third Day Adua" in accordance with Islamic tradition, was a moment of reflection, prayer and celebration of the life of the late statesman, who lost his life in a tragic helicopter crash last week.
From the early hours of the morning, the family residence of the late minister at Changli and the surrounding streets were filled with relatives, political allies, friends and residents who came to pay their last respects.
The atmosphere was heavy with grief but also imbued with a deep sense of honour for the legacy Dr Murtala left behind.
It was also filled with the recitation of Qur’anic verses, as clerics led prayers for Allah’s mercy upon the soul of the departed.
Political leaders, traditional rulers and the public stood side by side, putting aside all differences to pray for the deceased, who was the MP for Tamale Central Constituency.
Incident
The remains of Dr Murtala, who was among the eight patriots who lost their lives in last week’s helicopter crash, were laid to rest at the Military Cemetery, La, in Accra on Sunday.
The Ghana Air Force Z9 helicopter, which departed Accra at 0912 hours en route to Obuasi, lost radar contact shortly after take-off, according to the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF).
Other victims of the crash included Dr Edward Kofi Omane Boamah, Minister for Defence; Alhaji Muniru Mohammed Limuna, Acting Deputy National Security Coordinator and former Minister of Food and Agriculture; Samuel Sarpong, Vice Chairman of the National Democratic Congress; and Mr Samuel Aboagye, a former parliamentary candidate.
Also on board were Squadron Leader Peter Bafemi Anala, Flying Officer Amaning Twum Ampadu, and Sergeant Ernest Addo Mensah.
Honour
In brief remarks, the National Chairman of the NDC, Johnson Asiedu Nketiah, described the late minister as “a fantastic all-round intellectual in both letters and religion” whom the party was proud to have been associated with.
He, however, urged party members to remain calm and desist from rushing to choose his successor, as such a move could dishonour the late minister’s legacy.
"Whoever emerges as his replacement should know they have a lot of work ahead. Let us not rush or fight among ourselves, because in doing so, we may end up dishonouring his memory,” he stressed.
Mr Nketiah also admonished whoever succeeds him to continue supporting the students he had been sponsoring, reaffirming the party’s commitment to sustain his good works.
Sponsorship
For his part, Mr Iddrisu pledged to take over the sponsorship of 47 medical students the late minister had been supporting in various universities.
“We will not abandon the 47 medical students he was sponsoring. I promise to take care of all of them and fulfil their dreams of becoming medical doctors,” he said, adding that Dr Murtala left many unfinished projects that he would ensure were completed.
Mr Iddrisu described the late minister as a unifier who worked to bring northern MPs together to promote development in the northern sector.
He also thanked the family for accepting the government’s proposal to give the late MP a befitting burial in the national capital.
Gratitude
On behalf of the family, a brother of the deceased, Ibrahim Jabir, expressed deep gratitude to the government, political leaders, traditional authorities and all sympathisers for their support during this difficult period.
He said the family believed the love and honour shown to Dr Murtala would please his Maker.
