The Ghana Union of Professional Students (GUPS) on Saturday lauded the late former Vice President Alhaji Aliu Mahama “as a great son of the soil” whose demise is a big loss to the nation.

“The Ghana Union of Professional Students express its heartfelt condolence to the Government of Ghana, the families of the late former Vice President of the Republic of Ghana… the New Patriotic Party and the good people of Ghana on the demise of the former Vice President,” the union said.

This was contained in a statement signed by Paa Kwecy Adu, National President of GUPS and copied to the Ghana News Agency in Accra.

“We at GUPS say the late Vice President was a gentleman and a peace loving man, hence the need for all Ghanaians to demonstrate a high sense of peace before, during and after election 2012,” the statement said.

According to the Union, Aliu Mahama’s desired and advocated discipline while his buoyant contribution to Ghana’s democratic development can never be over emphasized.

The statement said his efforts would forever remain a hallmark in the hearts of Ghanaians especially the youth.

“May your good deeds serve as good seeds that will be nurtured and developed to promote and advance disciplined and peaceful society especially at the time that our democracy is deepening and gaining relatively greater height and also at this moment that we are preparing for general election,” the statement said.

“May Allah the Almighty keep you and preserve you in His Perfect Bosom of Peace,” the statement said.