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Mortal remains of Fathia Nkrumah
buried
Accra, June 12, GNA - The mortal remains of Madam Fathia
Nkrumah, wife of Ghana's first President, Osagyefo Dr Kwame
Nkrumah, were on Tuesday buried next to her husband at the
Nkrumah Mausoleum in Accra.
This was preceded by a State burial service held at the
forecourt of Parliament building and attended by the cream
of the country's political leadership including President
John Agyekum Kufuor and the wife, Theresa; Vice President
Alhaji Aliu Mahama and his wife, Rahmatu; the Speaker of
Parliament, Mr Ebenezer Begyina Sekyi-Hughes and Chief
Justice Georgina Theodora Wood.
Among those present were Former President Jerry John
Rawlings, Professor John Evans Atta Mills, former Vice
President and Presidential candidate of the National
Democratic Congress (NDC); Ghana's topmost diplomat,
Busumuru Kofi Annan and his wife Nane, Professor Daniel
Adzei Bekoe, Chairman of the Council of State; Ministers of
State and Members of Parliament (MPs) from across the
political divide.
President Kufuor in a tribute read for him by the Foreign
Minister, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, said although the
late Madam Fathia was not from Ghana, her place, like her
husband’s, would remain secured in the country's history.
He said Madam Fathia engendered so much affection in the
people with her elegance, poise and modesty, noting that her
choice to be buried by the side of Dr Nkrumah reciprocated
this affection.
He said the marriage between Madam Fathia and the first
President was living proof of the commitment of the country
and its leaders to the cause of African unity.
Madam Fathia did Ghana an honour and therefore the
Government's decision to give her a State burial, Nana
Akufo-Addo said.
The Convention People's Party (CPP), the Party founded by Dr
Nkrumah, in its tribute said: "This, indeed, was a gallant
woman. She fought the good fight she finished the race and
kept the faith and good reputation.
“Madam Fathia Nkrumah's courage and fortitude will continue
to inspire Ghanaian and African women to greater
achievements for many years to come."
The CPP called on all to take inspiration from her
sacrifices and to go the extra mile for the good of the
Party and the nation.
The children in their eulogy expressed thanks to President
Kufuor for kindly and dutifully footing the medical bill for
the treatment of their late mother, something, they said,
the family would never forget.
Gamel Nkrumah, the eldest son, said their mother was of the
firm conviction that it was in Ghana where Nkrumah and the
family belonged and it was in Ghana where the Nkrumah family
must cast their anchor.
"Fathia's life became an integral part of this country's
history and in this year when we are looking back to find
our way forward, public mood is most receptive to embracing
Fathia with open arms.
“Her remains will stay in Ghana as a constant reminder of
her special relationship with this country and the
influential role she played in protecting the legacy of
Nkrumah."
Bishop Antonious Markos of the African Affairs Coptic
Orthodox Church, Johannesburg, South Africa, who officiated
at the service, said Madam Fathia and the husband, Dr.
Nkrumah, were symbols and examples of people who stood for
what they believed in.
She stood by the husband to pursue the vision of
spearheading the fight to liberate Africa, he said.
GNA
......More
pictures from the State Burial
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