Ayawaso East MP laid to rest

Hundreds of mourners gathered at the Ghana National Mosque in Accra yesterday to bid an emotional farewell to Naser Toure Mahama, the Member of Parliament (MP) for Ayawaso East, as his body was laid to rest in accordance with Islamic customs. 

The ceremony followed the sudden death of the 60-year-old legislator on Sunday and drew family members, religious leaders, political colleagues and residents from across the Ayawaso enclave.

The atmosphere at the mosque was heavy with grief as mourners arrived in steady streams from the early hours of the morning, still struggling to come to terms with the loss.

Many of them were clad in traditional Islamic attire and clutching prayer beads to seek God’s mercy for the deceased and his grieving relatives.

A heavy police presence maintained order and ensured the smooth movement of mourners throughout the funeral procession and mosque grounds.

The Janazah prayer, led by the National Chief Imam, Sheikh Usmanu Nuhu Sharubutu, brought the large gathering into a moment of solemn reflection.

Standing shoulder to shoulder, worshippers prayed for the forgiveness of the late MP and for strength for his bereaved family, while the stillness that accompanied the prayer underscored the depth of the loss.

Mr Mahama, a four-term MP elected on the ticket of the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC), was widely regarded as a calm and approachable representative whose political life remained closely connected to the everyday realities of his constituents.

Residents from across his constituency, surrounding communities and beyond spoke quietly among themselves about a leader they said was visible, accessible and deeply familiar with the challenges of the area.

Several MPs and senior party officials from both sides of the aisle were present at the ceremony, reflecting the esteem in which the late lawmaker was held within the House. 

Senior pillar  

The MP for Ningo-Prampram and Minister of Communication, Digital Technology and Innovations, Samuel Nartey George, described the late Naser Toure Mahama as a senior pillar of the Greater Accra Caucus, with whom he worked closely both as caucus secretary and later under his chairmanship.

The late Naser Toure Mahama

The MP for Tema East, Isaac Odamtten, described the late Naser Toure Mahama as a long-standing friend and an exceptional parliamentary leader, saying he had known him for about 16 years, dating back to his early political contests.

Following the prayers, the body was conveyed for burial amid final supplications and quiet tears from mourners.