Former Vice President Aliu Mahama to be given state burial on Saturday

The late former Vice President Alhaji Aliu Mahama will be given a state burial on Saturday afternoon the Osu Military Cemetery, the Minister of Communications, Mr Haruna Iddrisu, announced on Friday.

He said the State Burial would be in accordance of Muslim rites.

He said President John Dramani Mahama had declared a state of national mourning.

Mr Iddrisu said the body of the late Vice President would be conveyed to the State House at 1200 hours and there will be no lying in state and no file past.

The National Chief Imam will lead the prayers at 1330 hours at the forecourt of the State House before the burial.

Alhaji Aliu Mahama passed away at 0945 on Friday at the Korler Bu Teaching after a short illness.

Former President John Agyekum Kufuor, who was at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, described his Vice President as a good man who served his country very well.

Personalities who are at the hospital have described the death as a big loss.

The Chief of Staff, Mr Henry Martey Newman, said the state would provide two or three aircraft to bring his family to Accra.

He said President Mahama has called off his campaign tour and is expected in Accra.

The presidential candidate of the NPP, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has also called off his campaign tour and is on his way to Accra.