Ramatu Mahama (née Egala, 15 October 1951 – 7 April 2022)[1] was a Ghanaian educationist who served as the second lady of Ghana from 2001 to 2009.[2] Mahama was the wife of the 4th vice-president of Ghana, the late Aliu Mahama.
Ramatu Aliu Mahama | |
|---|---|
| Second Lady of Ghana | |
| In role 1 January 2001 – 7 January 2009 | |
| Preceded by | Ernestina Naadu Mills |
| Succeeded by | Lordina Mahama |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Ramatu Egala 15 October 1951 Gold Coast |
| Died | (aged 70) Accra, Ghana |
| Nationality | Ghanaian |
| Political party | New Patriotic Party |
| Spouse | Aliu Mahama |
| Children | Farouk Aliu Mahama |
| Parent |
|
Early life and career edit
Ramatu was born on 15 October 1951.[3] Mahama was an educationist in Tamale, the capital city of the Northern Region and the Second Lady of Ghana from 6 January 2001 to 7 January 2009.[1]
Personal life edit
Mahama was the daughter of the late politician Imoru Egala, a Minister for Trade and Industry and first Ghanaian chairman of COCOBOD, in the first republic.[4][2] Mahama was married to the late Alhaji Aliu Mahama, who was the vice-president for Ghana from 2001 to 2009.[5] She is also the mother of Farouk Aliu Mahama the member of parliament for the Yendi Constituency.[6] She had four children; Salma Mahama, Farouk Mahama, Fayad Mahama and Halim Mahama.[2] In September 2021, there were reports of her death which were later denied by her son Farouk Mahama via an official statement on social media platform Facebook.[7] Mahama was a Muslim.
Death and funeral edit
Hajia Ramatu Mahama died at the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital on 7 April 2022, at the age of 70.[8] She had been battling a heart-related illness for about two years.[1][9][10] The following day, Hajia Ramatu Mahama was laid in state at the Black Star Square in the morning of 9 April 2022 and a memorial service held in her honour.[11][12] The National Chief Imam, Osman Nuhu Sharubutu led prayers for her and the Islamic Ṣalāt al-Janāzah prayer for departed soul was said for her. Hajia Ramatu Mahama's body was transported to Kalpohin, Tamale to where a final burial service was done before she was buried beside her husband.[13][11][14] At the funeral, former president John Kufuor eulogized her saying,
"She was thoughtful and supported her husband, who was Vice-President during my time in government. She was a great hostess any time we traveled to the north, especially around Tamale."[15]
References edit
- ^ a b c "Late Aliu Mahama's wife, Ramatu Mahama passes on". My Joy Online. 8 April 2022. Retrieved 10 April 2022.
- ^ a b c Frimpong, Enoch Darfah (7 April 2022). "Ramatu Mahama, wife of former Veep Aliu Mahama passes on". Graphic Online. Retrieved 7 April 2022.
- ^ "All you need to know about the late Hajia Ramatu Mahama". GhanaWeb. 8 April 2022. Retrieved 10 April 2022.
- ^ Amamoo, Joseph Godson (2007). Ghana: 50 Years of Independence. Jafint Ent. ISBN 978-9988-1-0545-7.
- ^ "Kufuor, Bawumia, others pay final respects to late Ramatu Aliu Mahama [Photos]". Citinewsroom - Comprehensive News in Ghana. 9 April 2022. Retrieved 10 April 2022.
- ^ Abdul-Hanan (9 November 2020). "Aliu Mahama Foundation Announces 8th Anniversary And Memorial Lecture". Modern Ghana. Retrieved 27 December 2020.
- ^ "My mother is not dead — Farouk Mahama". Modern Ghana. Retrieved 10 April 2022.
- ^ "Final Islamic prayers for late Aliu's widow to be held June 4". GhanaWeb. 25 May 2022. Retrieved 25 May 2022.
- ^ Agboklu, George (7 April 2022). "Former Second Lady Hajia Ramatu Mahama passes on". Ghana News Agency. Retrieved 10 April 2022.
- ^ Akomah, Hellen Grace (7 April 2022). "Late Vice President, Aliu Mahama's wife dies". CitiNewsroom. Retrieved 10 April 2022.
- ^ a b Bugri, Martina (9 April 2022). "Ramatu Aliu Mahama laid to rest". My Joy Online. Retrieved 10 April 2022.
- ^ Longdon, Bervelyn; Nyabor, Jonas (9 April 2022). "Kufuor, Bawumia, others pay final respects to late Ramatu Aliu Mahama [Photos]". CitiNewsroom. Retrieved 10 April 2022.
- ^ Darko, Kenneth Awotwe (10 April 2022). "Former First Lady Emily Akuffo has died". My Joy Online. Retrieved 10 April 2022.
- ^ Wayo, Rosemary; Gumah, Solomon (9 April 2022). "Hajia Ramatu Aliu Mahama laid to rest at Kalpohin". Ghana News Agency. Retrieved 17 April 2022.
- ^ Agyeman, Nana Konadu; Koomson, Joshua (9 April 2022). "Hajia Ramatu Aliu Mahama, wife of former Vice President laid to rest". Graphic Online. Retrieved 10 April 2022.