Mahama, Rawlings, hundreds mourn Ataa Mensah

Among the large number of people who attended the funeral of the late veteran actor, Ebenezer Mensah Lartey popularly known as Ataa Mensah, were former Presidents Jerry John Rawlings and John Dramani Mahama.

The funeral, which was held at the Arts Centre in Accra was also attended by the Mayor of Accra, Nii Adjei Sowah, Members of Parliament Hon. Okoe Vanderpuye and Hon. Nii Lante Vanderpuye as well as traditional rulers, members of the Ghana Actors Guild, family, friends and the general public.

Eulogising the late Ataa Mensah, former President Mahama said the late actor was a household name, “Ataa Mensah was a household name when we were growing up, his plays were so interesting that even when you did not understand the language you still enjoyed it.”

“I never met him until I became the Vice President of Ghana and we had a relationship since then; people like Ataa Mensah brought so much joy to our homes but they end up as paupers, we need to pay attention to people like him. Today, we are not here to mourn him but to celebrate him,” he stated.

Giving his sermon, Very Rev. Samuel K. Quartey said Jesus did not decay in the grave, He arose from the dead so we can rejoice and say, Christ is Risen.

“David served the purpose of God in his generation, are you serving the purpose of God in your generation? God has a purpose for our lives, it is up to you to ascertain the purpose. God’s purpose for you is to serve Him and mankind. We should serve God and Him alone.”

He continued, “We thank God that Ataa Mensah recognised his talent, at a tender age he realised who he was and he used that gift to serve his nation and the church, our labour in the Lord shall never be in vain.”

Tributes were read by the widow, children, family, church and the Ghana Actors Guild whose tribute was read by the President, Sammy Fiscian.

Speaking to Showbiz on the sidelines of the funeral, Nii Tei Lartey, son of Ataa Mensah expressed gratitude to government for supporting them during the funeral of their late dad, “government supported us with the venue, canopies and chairs,the grave and a host of others, we are indeed grateful and will forever be,” he said.

On her part, Amanua who is a member of the Adabraka Drama Troupe said she will always miss Ataa Mensah, “We were like family, he used to advise me and I will always miss him as a father figure and a friend, may he rest in perfect peace.”

The remains of Ataa Mensah was laid to rest at the Osu Cemetery.

Some of the actors who were spotted at the funeral were veterans Frimpong Manso popularly known as Osofo Dadzie, Kofi Laing also known as Kohw3, Kofi Adjorlolo, Omar Sheriff Captan, Kofi Falconer among others.