Christiana Atsupie Twasam, the twin sister of the late Ghanaian footballer Christian Atsu Twasam, has eulogised his brother in an emotional tribute.
Christiana referred to her brother as her heartbeat, the love of her life, her husband, her world, and her role model at the funeral held at the forecourt of the State House on Friday, March 17, 2023.
Atsu, 31, was found dead on February 18, 2023, following the devastating earthquake in Turkey and Syria on February 6, which killed more than 50,000 people in both countries.
In her tribute, Atsupie revealed how compassionate her brother was, referring to him as a person with a mother’s heart.
“You have a mother’s heart, Atsu and do say, Atsupie is okay, just overlook it, it’s nothing’’.
“Atsu, you left me in the middle of the ocean, as we are not done with our plans and the love we share together. Atsu, I pray you and the Almighty God grant me the strength to overcome this pain and permanent scar and to continue with your good deeds. Atsu, I love you beyond everything, but the Almighty God loves you more, rest in perfect peace, love, till we meet again.’
It was a time of mourning and solemn observation at the pre-burial service for the late Ghanaian footballer as a sea of Ghanaians clad in traditional red-and-black mourning clothing thronged the State House forecourt to pay their last respects to the fallen hero.
The solemn funeral service included a display of traditional artefacts from the star’s tribesmen amidst the sorrow and tears.
In the wee hours of Friday, mourners and wreath bearers arrived just in time to find suitable locations to pay their respects to the late Atsu, who died in a terrible earthquake in Turkey.
More than a dozen dignitaries, including sportsmen and icons from the entertainment industry, joined the public and the bereaved family at the state-assisted funeral amidst heavy security presence.
Hosts of dignitaries present at press time included the Vice-President, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia; Director General of the Ghana Prisons Service, Isaac Kofi Egyir; Minister for Youth and Sports, Mustapha Ussif; Chief of Staff, Akosua Frema Opare; President of the Ghana Football Association (GFA) and other executives.
Some high-ranking sportsmen and other political figures included MP for Assin Central, Kennedy Agyapong and MP for Ayawaso Central, Henry Quartey.
At precisely eight o’clock, tributes poured in, eulogising the late Ghanaian star as a philanthropist whose deeds would forever leave a mark in history.