Accra, Dec. 3, GNA - The Vice President, Alhaji Aliu Mahama at the weekend launched a Foundation to support the pursuit of culture, education and sports in the Northern, Upper East and Upper West regions. The Asumda Foundation established in memory of the late Ayeebo Asumda, a former Member of the Council of State, Regional Minister of the Upper Region, now Upper East and Upper West, Member of Parliament (MP) and Educationist, who died four years ago.

Launching the Foundation at the final funeral rites of the late Asumda, Alhaji Mahama presented three trophies and two million cedis each to representatives from the Upper East and Upper West regions to be contested annually to promote the aims and objectives of the Foundation. He also presented a trophy to a representative of the Northern Region to facilitate the pursuit of sports.

The Vice President described the late Asumda as a man with passion to accelerate education in northern Ghana, particularly the girl child. "He was a man of many parts who served his country with all his heart and might.

"Resilient and reconciling, the late Asumda did not discriminate in his choice of friends. Politicians who did not belong to the Convention Peoples Party tradition were always received with open arms and open mind," he said.

Alhaji Mahama said Asumda left a legacy of peace and respect for people of different ethnicity.

Mr Boniface Agambilla, Upper East Regional Minister, whose speech was read on his behalf described the veteran politician as a man who transcended partisan politics.

He said his pioneering works as a regional minister, helped to unite the area with ethnic diversity.

Mr Moses Asaga, a former Deputy Minister of Finance and Economic Planning during the administration of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and MP, told the Ghana News Agency that the late Asumda was a man of diversity who kept the pride of the North moving.

He said as a Member of the Council of State, he related well with the former Head of State Flt. Lt. Jerry John Rawlings.

Mr Edward Salia, Former NDC Minister of State and MP said Asumda was an illustrious son of the North and a mentor he had known during his 17-year stay in the Upper East Region.

He described him as a successful businessman who started the first electricity powered bakery in the North.

In a speech read on her behalf, Nana Kyeiwaa II of Aburi said the late Statesman had an in-depth knowledge about history and tradition, =93very intelligent, friendly and devoted his time and resources towards the development of society.=94

Mr Rashid Anani Demuyakor, brother-in-law of the deceased said the final funeral rite was in line with Kusasi tradition to allow the soul of Asumda to depart from the earth. The late Asumda started his education in 1927 at the Gambaga Primary School and ended as a trained teacher in 1936 after availing himself of further training at Achimota College and Tamale Government Boys School. He became a member of the Legislative Assembly for Kusasi West in 1954 and 1956.

Asumda also became the Parliamentary Secretary for Works and Housing, Deputy Minister of Local Government, Deputy Minister of Health and Deputy Minister of Justice. Alhaji Mahama and his wife, Ramatu made a cash donation of five million cedis to the Fund.