The Great Consolidated Popular Party (GCPP) on Saturday joined millions of Ghanaians to mourn the death of former Vice President Alhaji Aliu Mahama.
Alhaji Aliu Mahama, who was 66 years, died on Friday, November 16, at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital in Accra.
Dr Henry Lartey, Presidential Candidate of the GCPP and the entire membership of the party expressed their condolences to the bereaved family and the New Patriotic Party (NPP).
The death of Alhaji Aliu Mahama represents the loss of yet another huge illustrious son of the land,
Mr John Amekah, Vice Presidential Candidate of the GCPP, said in a statement to the Ghana News Agency in Accra.
Indeed the Vice President had contributed towards the sustenance and deepening of democracy by his unwavering support to his party, the NPP, and the government of which he was Vice President of Ghana from 2001–2009, the statement said.
"Whilst we mourn the passing away of Alhaji Aliu Mahama, we need to celebrate his life because he was an affable and principled person who expressed his views without fear or favour," it said.
The GCPP said: "One lesson politicians could learn from his life is the modest, respect for everyone young or old, in spite of his huge stature. May his soul rest in perfect peace".
The GCPP has therefore suspended its campaign and directed all members to participate fully in the funeral arrangement for Alhaji Aliu Mahama.
Alhaji Aliu Mahama was Vice-President of Ghana from January 7, 2001 to January 7, 2009.
The former Vice President was a quantity surveyor by occupation, born in Yendi and was married to Hajia Ramatu Aliu Mahama.
As a young man, Aliu Mahama studied at the Government Secondary School, Tamale from 1960-1967 for his Ordinary and Advanced Level Certificates.
He proceeded to the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, from 1967-71 where he obtained the BSc Degree in Building Technology.
Alhaji Aliu Mahama started his working career at the Bolgatanga Regional Office of the State Construction Corporation as an Engineer (Construction) from 1972-75.
He was promoted to Assistant Regional Manager and posted to the Koforidua Regional Office of the corporation from 1975-76.
He held the position of Regional Manager in charge of the Northern Region, Tamale, from June 1976 – August 1982. In 1982 he successfully established his own Civil Engineering and General Construction Firm – LIDRA Limited- and became its Managing Director.
Alhaji Aliu Mahama became the Chairman of the Northern Regional Contractors Association in 1996 until the December 2000 elections.
Alhaji Aliu Mahama is also an alumnus of the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA).
In order to sharpen and deepen his management and leadership skills, he obtained two certificates from the Institute in Project Planning and Management, and in Leadership.
He had exceptional interest in Local Governance and Community Development. Accordingly, he was Councilor for the Yendi District Council in 1978 and Assemblyman, Tamale Municipal Assembly in 1990.
He was the Chairman of the Economic Development Committee of the Tamale-Louisville Sister State Committee.
He had been a board member of several secondary schools in the Northern Region as well as the Tamale Polytechnic.
In his leisure time, he loved reading, watching football and badminton.
He was a founding member of the Real Tamale United Football Club.