By Patrick Biddah
The family of the late business mogul, Alhaji Asuma Banda, have kicked against the organisation of any funeral service for their beloved deceased at the State House.
They contend that any planned arrangement to hold a funeral service, will amount to a disrespect of the wishes of the late former businessman.
This , they explained is in view of the fact that the late Ahaji Asuma Banda, has always wanted to be buried at his Mosque located at Airport Residential area .
Speaking at a press conference in Accra on April 8, 2025, the head of the Abu Banda Family, Alhaji Mohammed Abu Banda, indicated that the main purpose of the press conference is to protect the good name, the respect and the dignity of his late brother.
His comments is in reaction to the claim that unknown persons, allegedly led by one Ahjaji Abdullah Khalifa A.K.A Alhaji Abomour, have taken it upon themselves to organise an unauthorised funeral service for the late Asuma Banda at the state house.
“I would like to state categorically that Alhaji Abdullah Khalifa is not the head of the Abu Banda family. The unauthorised funeral at the state house is not organised by the state or family. The funeral at State House is not also known to the family”, he dismissed.
In view of the claim that Alhaji Abdullah Khalifa, has also taken it upon himself to invite the general public to this unauthorised funeral, the Head of the Banda Family, stressed that it is unauthorised and not supported by the state nor the family.
“ I Alhaji Mohammed Abu Banda as head of the Abu Banda Family speaking on behalf of the entire family are disassociating ourselves from this unauthorised funeral .We would like to inform the public to disregard this unauthorised funeral being organised by Alhjaji Abdullah Khalifa as he is not part of the Abu Banda family “, he pointed out.
“As I did for our parents before us, I laid my brother to rest as per his wishes in this Mosque we are standing in today. My brother left his wishes to be buried here in the Mosque that he built in honour of the religion he loved so much “, he reteirated.
Alhaji Mohammed, who also said he is the Chief of Banda Family in the Asante Region, also indicated that the late Alhaji Asoma Abu Banda, was his elder brother.
Aside from the wish to be buried at his Mosque, Alhaji Mohammed, said his late elder brother, also requested for two mausoleum , so that when the time comes his wife of 51-years who he shared his religion with, by name Mrs Cassandra Asoma Banda, should be laid to rest next to him.
He used the occasion to express gratitude to the President, His Excellency John Dramani Mahama and the National Chief Imam, Sheikh Osmanu Nuhu Sharubutu, for taking the time to join the family to lay their brother to rest.
The40-day funeral in line with Islamic practice he said, will take place on April 10, 2025 at his Mosque at Airport.
The press conference was attended by lawyers for the family. Martin Kpebu and Irene Aborchienyahe