Ghanaian footballer Christian Atsu has been laid to rest in a final funeral rites that saw thousands of mourners including the President of the Republic, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo present at the Forecourt of the Banquet Hall in Accra , Thursday March 17, 2023.
The former Ghanaian international died last month in the earthquake that killed millions in Turkey.
Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia and former President John Dramani Mahama were also present at the service grounds to pay their last respects.
Well-wishers from Ghana and abroad filed past the body and paid their last respects to the late footballer.
High ranking sportsmen and other political figures including Minister for Youth and Sports, Mustapha Ussif, Chief of Staff, Frema Opare,President of the Ghana Football Association, Kurt Okraku, Henry Quartey, Greater Accra Regional Minister, MP for Assin Central, Kennedy Agyapong and other executives paid their last respects.
“The painful loss of our brother, Christian Atsu has undoubtedly created indelible imprints on the minds and hearts of compatriots, team-mates, friends, families and the nation. The government and Ghanaians in general will continue to remember Christian Atsu as one of the committed, dedicated and results-oriented youth and a football star of our time”, said Mustapha Hamid, Ghana’s Minister for Youth and Sports.
Tearful tribute from the footballer’s widow, Marie-Claire Rupio read ” In life I love you darling , in death I will do the same”
”You did not go alone, for part of me went with you… your smile , your love I see in our children’s smiles” she added with an emotional speech that she could not hold back her tears and had to hand it over to Atsu’s sister to continue reading .
Atsu’s body was recovered from the rubble of his building apartment on Saturday 25 2023 after days of intensive search. His lifeless body was flown to Ghana some weeks ago for burial.
He will be laid to rest in his hometown, Dogobome in the Greater Accra Region.
Christian Atsu was part of the Ghana squad at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil and was player of the tournament at the 2015 African Cup of Nations, scoring two goals to help Ghana to the final, where they lost in a penalty shootout to Ivory Coast.
The 31-year-old spent most of his career playing in the English Premier League for clubs including Chelsea, Newcastle and Everton.
