Late Alhaji Abu Banda family rejects State House funeral

Speaking at a press conference held at the Dr Alhaji Asoma Banda Mosque in Airport Residential Area, Accra, Alhaji Mohammed Abu Banda described the State House event as illegitimate and misleading, cautioning the public to disregard it.

“My late brother made it clear in his wishes that he should be buried at this very mosque, and that is exactly what we did,” he stated. “He even requested a mausoleum for two so that his beloved wife of 51 years, Mrs Cassandra Asoma Banda, would rest beside him one day.”

Flanked by his siblings and other family members, the chief expressed gratitude to all dignitaries and sympathizers who joined the family to lay his brother to rest on March 1, 2025, including President John Dramani Mahama and the National Chief Imam, Sheikh Osmanu Nuhu Sharubutu.

However, he expressed concern that a certain individual, identified as Alhaji Abdullah Khalifa, also known as Alhaji Abomour, had taken it upon himself to host a public funeral service for the late businessman without the consent of the family or the involvement of the state.

“I want to make it clear that Alhaji Abdullah Khalifa is not the head of the Abu Banda family. The funeral being organised at State House is not known to us, not authorised by the state, and certainly not supported by the family,” he said.

Alhaji Mohammed Abu Banda further warned the public to treat any invitation to the State House event as illegitimate and urged the media to help protect the legacy, dignity, and religious wishes of the late Asoma Banda.

The family has announced that the official 40-day funeral service will be held on Thursday, April 10, 2025, at 10 a.m. at the Dr Alhaji Asoma Banda Mosque, with prayers led by the National Chief Imam and Quran recitations in honour of the deceased.