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Diasporia News of Friday, 15 July 2005

Source: NANA SIFA TWUM, LONDON

Kufuor Visits Mourning Family

President J.A Kufour has paid a visited to the family of the confirmed Ghanaian victim of the London bomb blast last week at their residence in North West London to console them.
Mrs Gladys Ama Wundowa is named so far by the Metropolitan Police in London as the only Ghanaian killed during the coordinated bomb attack in London last week claiming at least 54 lives and injuring many hundreds more.
President Kufour who was transiting to Accra after a three-day official visit to Jamaica was accompanied on his visit by Ghana?s High Commissioner to the UK, Mr. Isaac Osei, the Foreign Affairs Minister, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, the Trade Minister, Mr. Allan Kyeremateng, His private secretary, Ambassador D.K. Osei and the Presidential Spokesman, Mr Kwabena Adjepong.
They were received by the widower, Mr. Emmanuel Blali Wundowa and his two orphans Azuma and Zakari as well as some other family members.
The scene was characterised by purely Ghanaian funeral tradition. Simply planned by the president himself, the visit did not only provide the president the opportunity to share the sorrow and grief of the family of an innocent and enterprising Ghanaian woman who came face to face with death during an atrocious act of some British Muslim youth.
Mr Kufour and his entourage also learnt at first hand the circumstances surrounding the untimely death of Gladys. He said the recent deadly attacks on London must be condemned in the strongest terms by all well-meaning people and organisations without reservation, adding that ?it could have happened to anyone.? He said there is therefore the need for each and everyone to show concern for the other. The president noted that every Ghanaian living everywhere as very important to the socio-economic development of the country. He described the death of Gladys as unjust and unfair and said ?that is why we are mourning her and indeed all the other victims. ?Ghana is with you in your mourning? He told the bereaved family. He also extended the country's condolences to family members of others killed and wounded in the attack. Mr. Wundowa expressed his gratitude to the president for the visit saying ?I am proud to be a Ghanaian and I am also proud of you as my president? He said he was shocked with the announcement by the police to him at his residence and said he wished the said it was a mistake. Gladys 50, who was described by his widower as an angel, loving, caring and kind was killed together with 12 others who were among 80 others on board No 30 bus at Tavistock square during the bombing by an eighteen year old bomber. Mrs Wundowa visited Ghana for the last time in August last year with her two children Azuma Wundowa 16 who is awaiting her GCSE results and Zakari Wundowa 14. There is no word from the police now as when the body would be released to the family. This is due to the criminal circumstance under which she was killed and the nature of the investigation being carried out. On behalf on the government and the people of Ghana the president presented customary drinks and cash to the family.
Mr.Wundowa said the body would be sent to Gladys? hometown, Tsito in the Volta Region when it is released to him for burial.
The President has since returned home.