You make us smile and fill us with strength; We will miss you Daddy – Christian Atsu’s children
Joshua Christian Twasam, Godwin Twasam and Abigail Twasam, children of late Ghana winger Christian Atsu have penned an emotional tribute to their late father.
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.
“We missed you, dad”.
“You loved us for who we were and accepted us for who we were striving to become”.
“You always made us smile and filled us with strength”.
‘Your strength gave us a sense of protection and love”.
“Now that you are in heaven, we know that you will continue to protect us”.
“Thanks for being our dad”.
“We will always love and miss you”.
“Rest Well, Daddy’.
The tribute was read on behalf of the children at the funeral held at the forecourt of the State House on Friday, March 17, 2023. The tribute left Joshua in tears as family members consoled the three children.
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.