President of the Republic, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, has announced that the state will assist the family of the late Ghanaian football international, Christian Atsu, to give the soccer star a befitting funeral.
President Akufo-Addo said he has instructed the chief of staff at the office of the President, Madam Akosua Frema Osei Opare, to liaise with the family, the Ghana Football Association (GFA) and the Ministry of Youth and Sports to ensure that the decision government is executed.
The President made this known when he received a family delegation of the late footballer at the Jubilee House today 27 February 2023, who officially came to his office to inform him of the sad and tragic passing of the Ghanaian football star.
“Our responsibility is to give you as much support as we can. We can never erase the loss of this very brilliant man, but there it is. I always console myself with the fact that, at the end of the day, no matter the circumstances, the Almighty will call each one of us one by one, and perhaps, that was his [Christian Atsu] destiny that he is called in this tragic way” President Akufo-Addo said.
“The Ghanaian people must express their appreciation for the work that he did for our nation and the contribution he made to the development of the game and the development of sports in general.
“So, I have asked the chief of staff who unfortunately is outside Accra today, to make sure that we organize a state-assisted funeral for Christian Atsu, depending on the date that you the members of the family and GFA will select” Akufo-Addo added.
President Akufo-Addo noted that the state will do everything within its power to ensure that Christian Atsu, is given a dignified exit. He asked the family to work closely with his office in choosing a date for the funeral because he would like to personally be present at the funeral to pay his last respect to the late Black Stars player.
Eulogy
Speaking on behalf of the family, GFA President Kurt Okraku, indicated that the family stands ready to partner with the state and the Office of the President, to give their beloved a befitting burial.
In eulogizing the late footballer, the GFA President observed that “Christian Atsu was a very dedicated footballer who had 66 caps for the Black Stars”.
“The height of his career was in 2015 when he scored the best goal at the AFCON. He was also selected as the team of the tournament and most importantly, he has voted the best player of the tournament in the year 2015” GFA President Kurt Okraku said.
“Christian Atsu served the Black Stars with all his heart. He served all national teams as and when he was called upon and until his demise, he was still a member of our team so long as the team selectors picked him.
“Beyond the field of play, he was a philanthropist. His deeds and works are all over the place and I think the world has spoken of all the good deeds the Christian Atsu did for mankind” Kurt Okraku added.
Monument
Addressing the President on behalf of Christian Atsu’s family, Nene Agudey Obichere III, the Ada State Mankralo, requested the President and for that matter, the nation, to consider instituting a national monument in honour of the late Ghanaian football international.
President Akufo-Addo welcomed the call made by Nene Agudey Obichere III, describing it as a reasonable demand. He indicated that his office together with the GFA and the Ministry of Youth and Sports will find an appropriate monument to honour the late Christian Atsu.
Background
Ghana’s Foreign Affairs Ministry confirmed that Ghanaian football star Christian Atsu has been found dead following a devasting earthquake in Turkey on 18 February 2023.
Atsu, 31, was caught up in a 7.8-magnitude quake that rocked Turkey and Syria on 6 February 2023, killing more than 50,000 people in both countries.
“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration has received the unfortunate news of the recovery of the body of Christian Atsu from the rubble of his apartment, following the earthquake which struck Turkey on 6 February 2023,” the statement of the ministry released on 18 February said.
“This comes after almost 12 days of tortuous search by a rescue team. The Ghana Embassy in Turkey which conveyed the sad news indicates that the body was recovered early this morning, Saturday 18 February 2023.
“The elder brother and twin sister of Christian Atsu and an officer of the embassy were present at the site when the body was recovered. Government extends to the widow and family of Christian Atsu our deepest condolences” the release further noted.