Tamale, May 08, GNA - President John Agyekum Kufuor and members of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) on Sunday mourned with the family of Alhaji Abdul-Raman Salifu, Northern Regional Chairman of NPP, who died about three weeks ago.

Delegations from the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Convention People's Party (CPP) and the People's National Convention (PNC) were also at the funeral to express their sympathies and showed solidarity, a development that belied the "unhealthy" inter-party rivalry of recent times.

President Kufuor described the gesture of the other political parties as an important signal for democratic development in the country, saying: "It is a new beginning and development for all the political parties in the country, adding, "the death of Alhaji Salifu has shown us the way."

"We must be bounded together in politics and we must play above certain principles, selfishness must be put aside," he said. In a tribute, President Kufuor described Alhaji Salifu who was popularly known as "COP" as a very dependable and fearless person whose contributions to issues were full of wisdom..."

"Indeed, he was a solid pillar on which the NPP rested in the Northern Region. His death is a great loss to the party in particular and the country as a whole," he said.

On the Dagbon chieftaincy issue, President Kufuor said: "Alhaji Salifu put Dagbon above the party when the crisis emerged. He was really troubled."

Masawudu Salifu, son of the deceased in a tribute, described his father as "a leader, mentor and motivator to the family," who would forever be remembered.

Alhaji Sumani Zakari, Northern Regional Chairman of NDC, said COP was a peacema ker, tolerant and demonstrated an unflinching commitment to the NPP.

He said Alhaji Salifu assisted many children to gain admission into second cycle and tertiary institutions, adding, "only Allah can tell the number of students who have benefited from his respect for education." Alhaji Zakari said: "The best tribute we can give to the soul of Alhaji Salifu is for us to help sustain the peace that he has helped to return to Dagbon."

Mr Albert Atituga, Northern Regional Chairman of CPP regretted the death of COP saying it was a great loss to the country since "the sense of judgment, decorum and humanity to fellow man is gone." Mr Peter Mac Manu, NPP National Chairman, and the PNC read tributes in memory of Alhaji Salifu.

President Kufuor on behalf of the Government donated 70 million cedis for the upkeep of the wives and children of Alhaji Salifu, 20 million cedis for the family and 10 million cedis for the Mallams who prayed to God to forgive all the sins the late Alhaji Salifu might have committed on earth.

The funeral was characterised by traditional music and dancing amidst Koranic recitals.

Present at the funeral were Vice President Alhaji Aliu Mahama, Dr Kwame Addo-Kufuor Minister of Defence, Dr Kofi Konadu Apraku, former Minster of Regional Cooperation and NEPAD and Mr Yaw Osafo Maafo, former Minister of Education and Sports.

Others were: Mr Stephen Asamoah-Boateng, Minister of Local Government, Rural Development and Environment, Mr Alan Kyeremateng, Minister of Trade, Industry, Private Sector and PSI as well as Regional Ministers of Ashanti, Brong Ahafo, Northern, Upper East and Upper West. The rest were: District, Municipal and Metropolitan Chief Executives, party executives, as well as Regional Chairmen of NPP and traditional rulers.