Eulogy For Ali Mustapha Iddris

Mustapha Idris Ali

In the days of yore, there was only Radio Ghana dominating the airwaves. Then came GBC 2 which was strictly English, then after a failed buccaneering attempt by controversial Wereko

Brobby to open Radio Eye, the floodgates were opened through Joy Fm then this that and today we have in the city of Accra alone over 20 radio stations.

When you apply for a licence to open a radio station they will tell you Accra is choked, no frequency, but you will be there then you will hear there is this that and so on, including interesting names like OKAY FM, Radio XYZ, Muntie Fm and others. Pretty soon we will have “Free Fm” “Popular Fm” and what nots!

Even though I don't like the low cost constantly repetitive sermons of Odiyifo KUMCHACHA” (is he a Ghanaian? From where?) My favourite station is OKAY FM mainly because of their “more music, less talk”, and so it was just normal for me to switch on in the car circa 6:25 am on Monday 3 rd June 2013, only to hear the very last tail end of the morning's news bulletin in Akan – “he will be buried according to religious custom. The late Alhaji Iddris was Northern Regional Minister under the NPP Administration…”

Oh my God!! Alhaji Ali Mustapha Iddris – dead? I was so unsettled that I slowed down and parked off road for a few minutes to regain my composure…oh, Good Lord…Alhaji Iddris…

You will be surprised to hear that the first time I saw him was in President Kufuor's Office at the Old State House just after he had been sworn in as President. I had gone there for something, as fresh MP for Berekum, and among the visitors to see the President were some three white men seated there, all in suit, with this powerfully built Obasanjo look alike Alhaji, seated in between them, looking very cool quiet but full of energy.

I was in the Company of some loquacious friend so I inquisitively asked that who is that rich businessman with these white men?

“Ah, Captain…don't you know Ali Mustapha Iddris? He is the re-elected NPP MP for Gulpeku Sagbonjida in Tamale. He is a tough guy. He was nearly chosen as President Kufuor's running mate before Aliu Mahama came into the picture.”

I took a good look at him, then boldly went to shake his hand, then surprisingly he smiled at me as he extended his heard: “Effah – how is Berekum?”

So he knew me!
I was not surprised at all when I heard that he had been made Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs, then later Minister for Works and Housing and later Northern Regional Minister.

Anytime he saw me in Parliament he had a word for me, I remember so well one day when there was constant seemingly endless violence in Tamale he told me: “Effah, I am going to tell the President to send you to Tamale as Northern Regional Minister to go and put order in those difficult areas…'

How I laughed in my head!
So many people told me so much about him – that he was very popular in Tamale, that he seemed to have time for everybody, that he was open, genial and humble.

I saw it myself when I was campaigning for the NPP flagbearer – I went to Tamale and the Regional Minster had gone to his family house. I traced him there to see him seated on a large mat in his accustomed green overall Muslim dress, chewing cola… In fact if you did not know him you would not recognize him.

I remember when I was campaigning for NPP General Secretary I went to Tamale and visited him in his private and very palatial mansion, where he received me in his hall and encouraged me to work hard to win and become NPP General Secretary.

Alhaji kept on talking so good naturedly, laden with humour and reminiscences of the NPP Administration. Time was against me and I had to go but Alhaji won't let me go. “Effah how many times have you visited me here – sit down and let's talk – they will wait…'

I remember when Aliu Mahama died I went over to Tamale and early in the morning I was in Aliu's house seated among the mourners when Alhaji Ali Mustapha Iddris arrived in a flourish – plenty of bowing and handshakes, and as always when he shook my hand he said: “Effah, welcome to Tamale!!!

I have said all the above just to illustrate a point – the man was open and good natured. He seemed to exude fresh liveliness hope and happiness all around his mien.

In one of Ebo Whyte's prescriptions for good and happy living he said that 'think about death, because God has not promised you tomorrow…'

So how will life be after I am gone? You must be a fool to ask yourself such a question. Life will go on as it is going on now…people making love to their wives, armed robbers on the streets, teachers playing games with their beautiful female students…lawyers going to court, trotro drivers in brick business…you think the world will come to a stop because you, reader, you are dead? You must be joking.

That is why the Preacher, King Solomon said that “teach us to number our days, so that we may learn wisdom…'

Alhaji Ali Mustapha Iddris, a perfect distinguished gentleman by all standards has crossed the river to the Beyond and well…life is going on.

Alhaji, Rest in Peace!
 
Written by Kwame Nkrabeah