Politicians in the northern Ghana have eulogized the late Tamale North Constituency member of parliament ( MP ) Alhaji Abukari Sumani for his counseling and elderly advice to young political activists. Alhaji Sumani died on Saturday at Korle Bu Teaching Hospital in Accra. He was 71.
Activists from both political divide who benefited directly or indirectly from the former NDC parliamentarian couldn’t hide their sadness in their tributes.
Humility and humbleness were the hallmarks of the veteran politician as recounted by close associates and political activists.
Those who couldn’t not make it to the funeral ground took to social media to express their condolences and also commensurate with the family for the big loss.
The Mayor of Tamale, Musah Superior, in a statement said: “I have learnt with deep shock the death of the former member of parliament for Tamale North constituency and former Ghana Ambassador to the Republic of Saudi Arabia, Alhaji Abukari Sumani, May his Soul rest in peace.”
A deputy minister of Energy and a former Tamale mayor, Dr Mohammed Amin Adam revealed that the late Alhaji Sumani advised him to pursue his doctoral degree at any institution of higher learning.
According to Adam, Alhaji Sumani saw the potential in him as a young politician and therefore urged him not to abandon his education entirely for politics.
Dr Adam who shared fond memories of the former lawmaker said: “My first parliamentary contest was in 2000 against Hon. Alhaji Abukari Sumani and other distinguished candidates. The results were not clear but I refused to challenge it although that decision was very painful to my supporters and I. I was still young and had a great political future ahead. But the humanity in him was very clear to me as he visited me on two occasions to advise me not to abandon further academic studies.”
“Anytime we met, his words of encouragement about education were loudest – “go and study for your PhD. Hon. Abukari Sumani, your words were later to define my career path, and for this I am eternally grateful.
We were political competitors, but above it, you were my advisor, mentor and a great inspiration to me. You are no more, but your words live with me, and I will never forget. uncle, as I used to call you, rest in peace and may Allah receive you in Jannatul firdaus. Ameen.”
Private life
The late MP served Ghana in various capacities. Aside his legislative role, he was a former Board Chairman of the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority under the erstwhile NDC government. He was also the Chairman of the Public Procurement Authority under the late President John Evans Atta Mills.
In addition, the late Alhaji Sumani was a former ambassador to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia under Jerry Rawlings’ administration.
He lost his bid to represent the people of Tamale north in 2012 general elections to an independent candidate, Alhassan Dahimani. The defeat did not deter him from competing again in 2016 when he lost the NDC’s primaries to represent the Tamale North constituency to a broadcast journalist, Mr. Alhassan Suhuyini.
The late Alhaji Abukari Sumani was a member of the Andani royal family in Dagbon.
