President John Dramani Mahama intimated on Sunday that the late Aliu Mahama was a role model and an inspiration to him and other Northerners when he graduated as a young Engineer from the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology in the 1970s.

"He also served as a role model to most people from the northern sector who hitherto saw Engineering as a course for the affluent in society", President Mahama said when he paid a glowing tribute to the former Vice President at a state funeral service at the Independence Square in Accra.

The funeral ceremony attracted many dignitaries including former presidents Jerry John Rawlings and John Agyekum Kufuor and their spouses.

Also in attendance were Vice President Paa Kwesi Amissah-Arthur, Nana Akuffo Addo, Presidential candidate for the New Patriotic Party, Paa Kwesi Nduom, Presidential Candidate for the Progressive People’s Party and Mahamadu Bawumia, vice presidential candidate for the NPP and their spouses.

Leaders of various political parties, former and current Ministers of State, Muslim groups, Christian groups, professional bodies and various ethnic groups from the North were all in attendance.

President Mahama said having served as the longest Vice President of Ghana, Former Vice President Aliu’s death was a loss to Ghana and the entire African continent, in view of the fact that Ghana’s democracy was an inspiration to other countries.

On behalf of the People of Ghana, President Mahama expressed his heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family, Hajia Ramatu Mahama, former Second Lady and the NPP.

He described late Aliu Mahama as a calm gentleman who was decorous and cared for others in need, and said his death was a loss that was irreplaceable in his area of service.

Sheik Dr. Nuhu Sharubutu, National Chief Imam who gave the Muslim prayer, eulogized the former Vice President for his humanitarian activities within the Muslim community and beyond.

He called on both Muslims and Christians to pray for the soul of the former Vice President and the souls of other departed ones.