Nana Akufo-Addo with some stalwarts of NPP speaking at the funeral service of the late Alhaji Adams Mahama

It was tears galore at the funeral of the late Upper East Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Adams Mahama, in Bolgatanga on Saturday.

NPP flagbearer, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, was seen shedding tears as he commiserated with the bereaved family.

The tears were more profound at the graveside before Adams’ body was lowered into the grave, with Nana Addo wiping the tears with his soaked handkerchief while other regional chairmen were also seen in the same mood.

More sympathisers and mourners broke down in tears to show their heartfelt grief over the sudden death of the NPP regional chairman, who died through acid attack last week.

The national chairman of the NPP, Paul Afoko, General Secretary, Kwabena Agyepong and a few national officers were not at the funeral for unexplained reasons.

Nana Akufo-Addo called for calm in the party as the police continue to hunt for the perpetrators of the gruesome murder.

He was optimistic that the security agencies would work diligently to ensure that the perpetrators of the dastardly act are brought to book.

Speaking at the burial service, the NPP flagbearer cautioned against people drawing hasty conclusions and stressed that the security agencies must be allowed to do their work.

Nana Addo described the late Adams Mahama as a charismatic young man who was passionate about the development and progress of the youth of his region and the fortunes of the NPP, whose sacrifice should not be in vain.

According to Nana Addo, the late Upper East Regional NPP Chairman played his role by showing signs of commitment to the party and was ready to go all length to ensure that the NPP wins the 2016 presidential and parliamentary elections in the region.

The New Patriotic Party standard bearer therefore charged the rank and file of the NPP to take up the mantle of the late chairman and push forward the progress of the elephant family in the Upper East Region.

Flanked by national and regional executives, Nana Akufo-Addo – who cut short his European tour and returned to the country Friday night – noted that the death of Adams Mahama was too sudden and that it had dealt a heavy blow to the party in the region and even at the national level.

He therefore charged party faithful to uphold the unity and progress of the NPP, which the late Adams Mahama stood for.

“It never occurred to me that I will stand to make the funeral oration of this dynamic and charismatic young man, but this is the way of the Lord. At the end of the day, we are all His creatures and He knows best when He will call us to His side. It is the turn of Adams today, we wish him safe journey; may the Almighty God open His arms to him and give his soul mercy and a safe place to rest. May his soul and the souls of all the dearly departed, rest in the bosom of the Lord until the last day of resurrection when we shall all meet again, Amen,” Nana Addo prayed.

Upper East Regional Minister, James Tiigah Zuugah, who represented the government, said the death of Adams Mahama had brought about a lesson that politics is not all about political or individual interests, but service to mankind, adding, “We are all here, irrespective of our political parties, mourning one man who is loved by many because of his contribution to the development of people within and outside his NPP.”

He assured of the Regional Security Council and Regional Coordinating Council’s continuous support to the security needs of the party to ensure that all lives and properties are protected.

“We are all here because of one man whose contribution to the region was not limited to the NPP alone, but to the entire society. His death is a loss to the region and I pray that we get united and see ourselves as one people who need to develop our region and its people,” the minister enjoined.

The burial service was also attended by the leadership of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), People’s National Convention (PNC), Convention People’s Party (CPP) and the Progressive Peoples Party (PPP). The event brought business activities on the commercial street to a halt as it was occupied by mourners.