President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has said government will offer a state-assisted burial for Christian Atsu, the former Black Stars player who perished in the Turkish earthquake.
The President said the country is devastated by the news of Atsu’s death.
President Akufo-Addo said this when the family of Christian Atsu paid him a visit at the Jubilee House on Monday, February 27, 2023, to officially inform him of the death of the former Black Stars player.
The meeting was attended by officials of the Ghana Football Association led by its president, Kurt Okraku.
“Our responsibility is to give you enough support that you need. It can never erase the loss of this brilliant man. I want the Chief of Staff…to make sure that we organise a state-assisted funeral for Christian Atsu depending on the date the family and GFA will select. Everything will be done from the point of view of the government to make sure he gets a dignified exit. That is my duty and responsibility as a president to make sure that happens,” President Akufo-Addo added.
The president also urged the Atsu’s family to fast-track the burial process.
“I don’t know what your plans are, but I think that the sooner we get this unfortunate episode behind us the better for all of us…With that said, the decision as to when the funeral will take place is still up to the family as our customs demand”.
Christian Atsu was tragically trapped under the rubble of the earthquake that hit some parts of Turkey and Syria on February 6.
Atsu’s lifeless body was recovered on February 18 and brought back to Ghana on February 19.