According to President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, Christian Atsu Twasam, a Ghanaian international football player who perished in the Turkiye earthquake, will get a state-funded funeral.
Government officials will make every effort to ensure Christian Atsu Twasam, whom President Akufo-Addo described as “an extraordinary athlete, a clever man, and a gift to our nation,” was allowed to depart in a dignified manner.
The news was made by President Akufo-Addo after the Ghanaian international’s death was officially announced to him at the Jubilee House in Accra today by the Ministry of Youth and Sports, the Ghana Football Association’s executive, and Atsu’s family.
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President Akufo-Addo stated that it was his job and responsibility to see to it that a proper funeral was organized. He urged that the sooner this was done, the better for everyone, but the family’s decision should be respected.
“I will feel very horrible if for some reason or another a day was chosen where I have duties outside this country which I cannot over and hence will not be present,” he said, urging them to make sure he was present to represent Ghanaians at the funeral.
He had asked the Chief of Staff, to ensure that they organized a state assisted funeral for Atsu depending on the date the members of the family and the GFA would arrive on adding that “everything will be done on the part of government to make sure that he is given a dignified exit.
Like many football enthusiasts, President Akufo-Addo admitted that he spent a lot of time admiring Atsu and his accomplishments on the field.
He said that many Ghanaians found the news of his passing in Turkiye to be agonizing because they had been led to believe he was fine before learning that he had passed away.
He conveyed the sincere condolences and sympathy of the entire nation to the football fraternity and his family, describing his passing as a tragedy for his family, his community, and the country.
Francisca Ashietey-Odunton, the ambassador of Ghana to Turkiye, was praised for her efforts in discovering and returning the remains to Ghana.
President Akufo-Addo revealed that he spoke with his Turkish colleague, Recep Tayyip Erdoan, and thanked Turkey for helping to find the body and make the process of transferring it to Ghana easier.
He argued that it was appropriate for Ghanaians to demonstrate their gratitude for what Atsu done for the country and for the advancement of football and sports in general.
