Aliu Mahama was a good man and deserve to be mourned - Kufour

Mr Kufuor had been at Korle-Bu earlier yesterday, together with some officials of his administration and the current government, after news of the former vice- president’s death had been broken to him.

Paying glowing tribute to the former vice-president, he said Alhaji Mahama served Ghana as vice-president for eight years with distinction.

“I did not see him shirk his responsibility,” he testified, adding that Alhaji Mahama was a team player who always tackled his assignments with a great deal of commitment.

Mr Kufuor said Alhaji Mahama was naturally a graceful and nice person and he assumed his responsibilities with dignity and circumspection.

“I am pleased that I had a man like him as my vice-president,” he remarked. He said it was natural for people to die “but it is also natural that when good people like him go, it is painful to bear”.

Walking down memory lane on how he had picked Alhaji Mahama as his running mate for the 2000 elections, Mr Kufuor said anytime he (Kufuor) visited the Northern Region, Alhaji Mahama was part of the NPP’s entourage that met him.

He said in some instances Alhaji Mahama hosted him (Kufuor) in his residence.

“I just could not help noticing him. So, eventually when I had to look for a running mate, I settled on him,” he submitted.

All that while, Mr Kufuor noted, Alhaji Mahama was not one of those persons lobbying for that position.

Story: Kofi Yeboah