The remains of Ghanaian international footballer Christian Atsu arrived in Accra Sunday evening (19 February) after he was discovered dead in the rubble in Turkey following a devastating earthquake.
Atsu, 31, was caught up in a 7.8-magnitude quake that rocked Turkey and Syria, killing more than 45,000 people in both countries.
It was a sombre occasion at the Kotoka International Airport as Atsu’s twin sister, his brother and the Ghana Ambassador to Turkey, Francisca Ashietey-Odunton accompanied the body to Accra.
Draped in Ghana’s national flag, military pallbearers carried Atsu’s casket from the cargo section of the aircraft to the tarmac for a solemn religious rite.
Atsu’s family, officials of the Ghana Football Association, and government officials led by Vice-President Mahamudu Bawumia were at the Kotoka International Airport to receive the remains.
Bawumia said the government will be fully involved in providing a befitting burial for the football star.
Tributes
President Nana Akufo-Addo has commiserated with the family of Atsu after the player’s body was recovered on Saturday from the rubble of his apartment.
“On behalf of the government and people of Ghana, I extend sincere, heartfelt condolences to the widow, children and family of our fellow Ghanaian, Christian Atsu, on the sad news of his death,” Akufo-Addo wrote on Facebook on Saturday.
“Ghana football has lost one of its finest personnel and ambassadors, and he will be sorely missed.
“May his soul rest in the Bosom of the Almighty until the Last Day of the Resurrection when we shall all meet again. Amen!” Akufo-Addo added.
Mahama and Bawumia mourn
For his part, Vice-President Mahamudu Bawumia said: “In a nervous state, we were hoping for the best of news. Now, we are a nation in grief, following news of the tragic demise of our illustrious son, Christian Atsu. My deepest condolences to his widow, family and friends.”
Former president John Mahama also wrote on Facebook: “We all held our breaths, and we prayed as we heard the miracles of people pulled out of the rubble. We prayed that ours would be one of those miracles, too. Alas, it was not to be. But in all, we give thanks to the almighty God for giving Atsu to us even for the short 31 years of his life.”
“At this time, Lordina and I extend our deepest condolences to his family and the football fraternity in Ghana and across the globe.”
Midfielder Atsu scored the last of his 33 career goals for Hatayspor in Turkey’s Super Lig on 5 February, hours before the quake struck.
“There are no words to describe our sadness,” tweeted his Turkish top-flight club. “We will not forget you, Atsu. Peace be upon you, beautiful person.”
Earlier in his career he spent four seasons at Chelsea, mostly out on loan, before a permanent transfer to Newcastle in 2017.
Chelsea issued a statement declaring: “It is with enormous sadness that Chelsea Football Club receives the news that Christian Atsu is confirmed as one of the many victims of the dreadful earthquake in Turkey and Syria.”
Newcastle also paid homage to “a talented player and a special person”.
The club added: “He will always be fondly remembered by our players, staff and supporters.
“Initially joining on loan, he played a key role in the Magpies squad that secured the Championship title in 2017 before making a permanent move to help us establish our place back in the Premier League.”
Atsu won 65 caps for Ghana and helped the Black Stars reach the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations final in Equatorial Guinea where Ghana lost to Ivory Coast on penalties.
Born on January 10, 1992, in the coastal town of Ada Foah Atsu is survived by his wife and three children.
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