President Mahama Mourns with Family of Late Business Mogul Alhaji Asoma Banda

• Ghanaian President John Dramani Mahama has paid his respects to the family of the late Alhaji Asoma Banda
• The renowned business mogul passed away on March 1, 2025, at the age of 92 and was buried on the same day by Islamic practices
• Alhaji Banda was a pioneering entrepreneur and philanthropist who made significant contributions to Ghana's economy

President John Dramani Mahama has visited the family of the late Alhaji Asoma Banda, a renowned business mogul, to mourn with them following his demise.

The Ghanaian business mogul died at the age of 92 in Accra on Saturday, March 1, 2025.

Alhaji Banda, a pioneering figure in Ghana's shipping and aviation industries, was laid to rest at his private residence by Islamic custom.

He was accompanied by his brother, Ibrahim Mahama, the Okaikwei Central NDC parliamentary candidate, Baba Sadiq, a Nigerian philanthropist and politician, Dele Momodu, and several other sympathizers.

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The Ghanaian president expressed his condolences to the bereaved family, describing Alhaji Banda as a visionary businessman whose contributions to Ghana's economy and society were immeasurable.

A Facebook post sighted by YEN.com.gh captured President Mahama and his entourage in a sad mood as they commiserated with the late business mogul's family.

Alhaji Banda, as he was affectionately known, passed away after several years of battling chronic illness.

President Mahama had previously visited Alhaji Banda during his illness, after the businessman's sisters made a public appeal for his intervention.

Alhaji Banda left a significant legacy in Ghana's economy. Notably, he was the first Ghanaian to own a private jet.

His Antrak Group of Companies revolutionized domestic aviation and shipping in Ghana.

"Ghana’s President, H.E. John Dramani Mahama, joined the family of renowned business mogul Alhaji Osmanu Banda to mourn his passing yesterday. Alhaji Osmanu Banda was laid to rest yesterday at his private residence in accordance with Islamic customs.

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"President Mahama was accompanied by his brother, Ibrahim Mahama, the NDC parliamentary candidate for Okaikwei Central, Baba Sadiq, renowned Nigerian philanthropist and politician Dele Momodu, and several other sympathizers. May Allah grant the late Alhaji Banda Jannah and bless his family with patience and unity. Ameen," the post read.

Profile of Alhaji Banda

Alhjai Banda was born in June 1933 at Kintampo in the Brong-Ahafo Region of Ghana.

He had his elementary education at Kintampo and Kumasi Government Boys, respectively, after which he obtained an Ordinary and Advanced Level certificate as well as a diploma in Marketing/ Sales Management.

Between 1955 and 1957, he was into the business of buying cattle from Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso and transporting them to Kumasi.

He relocated to London in 1960 to further his education, where he later worked at Imperial Chemical Industries (ICI) of London as a Director in charge of Africa and the Middle East.

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In 1975, Alhaji Banda ventured into private business and established a shipping company in London with partners, the OT Africa line and Antrak Group of Companies, creating jobs for over 500,000 people globally.

He was the Chancellor of the University of Education, Winneba, from 2010 to 2023.

Netizens sympathise with Alhaji Banda's family

Netizens who came across the pictures of President Mahama's visit to Alhaji Banda's family house took to the comment section to express their sympathies.

YEN.com.gh compiled a few of the reactions below:

Mustapha Habeeb Faye commented:

"May Allah forgive him and grant jannatul firdawsi..I first met Mr Banda in The Gambia in 1991 at a Shipping Company."

@Khalifa Goe said:

"May Allah forgive them and grant them Aljanat firdaus."

@Sumaiya Suma Zakariya also said:

"Aameen Thumma Aameen."

@Halidu Abbas commented:

"May ALLAH be pleased with him."

@Rico Best also commented:

"May ALLAH accept us in good faith."

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Alhaji Banda's wife files for divorce

Earlier, YEN.com.gh reported that the first wife of business mogul Alhaji Asoma Banda filed for divorce after nearly 50 years of marriage.

Cassandra Aisha Banda and the then 41-year-old businessman cared for each other when they tied the knot in London in 1974.

The beleaguered woman argued that the marriage ''has now reached a point of irreconcilable differences after years of alleged philandering by her husband.

Source: YEN.com.gh