Accra, June 12, GNA - The mortal remains of Madam Fathia Nkrumah, wife of Ghana's first President, Osagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah, were on Tuesday buried next to her husband at the Nkrumah Mausoleum in Accra. This was preceded by a state burial service held at the forecourt of Parliament building and attended by the cream of the country's political leadership including President John Agyekum Kufuor and the wife, Theresa, Vice President Alhaji Aliu Mahama and his wife, Rahmatu, the Speaker of Parliament, Mr Ebenezer Begyina Sekyi-Hughes and Chief Justice Georgina Theodora Wood.

Among those present were Former President Jerry John Rawlings, Professor John Evans Atta Mills, former Vice President and Presidential candidate of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Ghana's topmost diplomat, Busumuru Kofi Annan and his wife Nania, Professor Daniel Adzei Bekoe, Chairman of the Council of State, Ministers of State and Members of Parliament (MPs) from across the political divide. President Kufuor in a tribute read for him by the Foreign Minister, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, said although the late Madam Fathia was not from Ghana, her place, like her husband, would remain secured in the country's history.

He said Madam Fathia engendered so much affection in the people with her elegance, poise and modesty, noting that her choice to be buried by the side of Dr Nkrumah reciprocated this affection. He said the marriage between Madam Fathia and the first President was living proof of the commitment of the country and its leaders to the cause of African unity.

Madam Fathia did Ghana an honour and therefore the Government's decision to give her a state burial, Nana Akufo-Addo said. The Convention People's Party (CPP), the party founded by Dr Nkrumah, in its tribute said: "This, indeed, was a gallant woman. She fought the good fight, she finished the race and kept the faith and good reputation.

"Madam Fathia Nkrumah's courage and fortitude will continue to inspire Ghanaian and African women to greater achievements for many years to come."

The CPP called on all to take inspiration from her sacrifices and to go the extra mile for the good of the party and the nation. The children in their eulogy expressed thanks to President Kufuor for kindly and dutifully footing the medical bill for the treatment of their late mother, something, they said, the family would never forget. Gamel Nkrumah, the eldest son, said their mother was of the firm conviction that it was in Ghana where Nkrumah and the family belonged and it was in Ghana where the Nkrumah family must cast their anchor. "Fathia's life became an integral part of this country's history and in this year when we are looking back to find our way forward, public mood is most receptive to embracing Fathia with open arms. "Her remains will stay in Ghana as a constant reminder of her special relationship with this country and the influential role she played in protecting the legacy of Nkrumah."

Bishop Antonious Markos of the African Affairs Coptic Orthodox Church, Johannesburg, South Africa, who officiated at the service, said Madam Fathia and the husband, Dr. Nkrumah, were symbols and examples of people who stood for what they believed in.

She stood by the husband to pursue the vision of spearheading the fight to liberate Africa, he added.