The final rites for late Black Stars player Christian Atsu are currently taking place on the State House forecourt.
Football fans from around the world are expected to gather at the State House to commiserate with Atsu’s family and pay their respects. People from the entertainment industry, politicians, and people from all walks of life are expected to attend as well.
On March 4, Atsu held a one-week observation at the Adjiringanor Astro Turf in Accra, which drew both former and current Black Stars players.
On February 6, 2023, a 7.8 magnitude earthquake struck parts of Turkey and Syria, killing the footballer.
In Turkey, a lifeless body was recovered from the wreckage after an 11-story building collapsed on him and others.
His body was brought to Ghana from Turkey on Sunday, February 19, 2023.
Since then, government officials, members of the football community, colleagues, supporters, and Ghanaians in general have expressed their condolences to the bereaved family, and tributes to the hero have continued to pour in.
Former Black Stars players paid a visit to the late Christian Atsu’s family home to sign the book of condolences opened in his memory.
In the early hours of Tuesday, February 21, 2023, Asamoah Gyan, Sulley Muntari, Agyeman Badu, and Haminu Dramani were all present at Atsu’s family house.
Christian Atsu Twasam (January 10, 1992 – February 6, 2033) was a Ghanaian professional footballer who primarily played as a winger but was also used as an attacking midfielder or left back.
Atsu started his career with Porto, but he also spent a season on loan at Rio Ave. Chelsea signed him for £3.5 million in 2013, and he has since been loaned to Vitesse Arnhem, Everton, AFC Bournemouth, and Málaga.
After spending the 2016-17 season on loan at Newcastle United, he signed a permanent deal in May 2017.
After his four-year contract expired, he went on to play for Al Raed in Saudi Arabia and Hatayspor in Turkey, where he died in the 2023 Turkey-Syria earthquake at the age of 31.
From 2012 to 2019, Atsu was a full international with 65 caps, representing Ghana at the 2014 FIFA World Cup and four Africa Cup of Nations tournaments.
He assisted the team to a runner-up finish at the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations, where he was also named Player of the Tournament and Goal of the Tournament.