Hundreds of mourners have begun gathering in Damongo, the capital of the West Gonja District in the Savannah Region, ahead of the final funeral rites of the late Alhaji Mohammed Muniru, slated for Sunday, August 24, 2025.
The gathering has attracted top government officials, traditional authorities, and dignitaries from across the country, reflecting the profound impact of the late statesman on Ghanaian society. The family has confirmed that adequate preparations have been made to ensure a dignified ceremony for the late public servant.
Authorities have advised that several major and linking roads within the Damongo community will be temporarily blocked, and a heavy security presence has been deployed to maintain order during the funeral proceedings.
Education Minister and Tamale South Member of Parliament, Haruna Iddrisu, is expected to lead a high-level government delegation to the funeral, paying tribute to the late statesman’s exceptional service to the nation.
Remembering a Fallen Hero
Hon. Mohammed-Muniru Limuna tragically lost his life in a military helicopter crash on Wednesday, August 6, 2025, alongside seven other Ghanaians. His death has been described as a significant loss to both national development and the communities he served.
Born on 8th August 1967 in Wa, Upper East Region, to Alhaji Langa Limuna and Hajia Hawa Soale, he was the second of six children. His life exemplified perseverance, leadership, humility, and dedication to both his faith and public service.
From a modest beginning at United Primary School in Tamale (1972–1977), he progressed to Vitting Experimental Junior Secondary School, earning his Junior Secondary School Certificate (1977–1980), and subsequently acquired his GCE Ordinary Level at Damongo Secondary School (1980–1984). He later attended Tamale Secondary School (1986–1988) for his GCE Advanced Level before enrolling at the University of Ghana, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Humanities (1990–1993).
Driven by a commitment to public service, he pursued a Postgraduate Diploma in Public Administration at the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA) in 2005, and subsequently expanded his expertise internationally, earning an MSc in Health Policy, Planning, and Financing from the London School of Economics (2006–2007), and a Postgraduate Diploma in Health Policy, Planning, and Financing from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (2007–2008).
Distinguished Public Service
Over 28 years of dedicated public service, Hon. Limuna made transformative contributions to governance, agriculture, health, and human resource development in Ghana.
As Minister for Food and Agriculture (January 2016 – January 2017), he spearheaded reforms aimed at boosting food security and modernizing agriculture, including laying the groundwork for the Ghana Incentive-Based Risk-Sharing System for Agricultural Lending (GIRSAL) in collaboration with the Bank of Ghana. He also conceptualized the Farm Service Centers, designed to provide farmers with mechanization, credit, extension services, and market access.
In his earlier career, he served as Organising Secretary of the National Service Personnel Association (1995–1996) and later as Campaign Coordinator for the NDC during the 2016 elections in the Northern Region. He became a member of the Council of Elders of the NDC in the Savannah Region, where he continued to influence political governance and community development.
His tenure as Northern Regional Minister (2014–2016) and Upper East Regional Minister (2013–2014) was marked by peace-building initiatives, including the historic 2014 Damba festival reconciliation between the Andani and Abudu royal gates in Yendi, contributing to the broader Dagbon peace process.
Contributions to Health, Education, and Community Development
Hon. Limuna played pivotal roles in Ghana’s health sector, serving as Administrator and Health Policy Adviser to the Minister of Health, Project Coordinator for the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), and NHIS Focal Officer at the Ministry of Health’s Policy Planning, Monitoring, and Evaluation Directorate. He led the computerization of the NHIS and the creation of District Mutual Health Insurance Schemes (DMHIS), enhancing national health coverage.
In education and human resource development, he served as Minister of State in Charge of Scholarships, reforming scholarship administration and contributing to Ghana’s national human resource policy. Through his Tamawuta Foundation, he sponsored the education of many young Ghanaians, paid medical bills, provided potable water, and organized health screenings for underserved communities.
A devout Muslim, he sponsored the construction of numerous mosques and facilitated the Hajj pilgrimage for hundreds of Ghanaian Muslims.
Legacy and Personal Life
Hon. Limuna was appointed Acting Deputy National Security Coordinator shortly before his passing and was committed to his duties until his untimely death on 6th August 2025.
Fondly remembered as principled, proactive, and solution-oriented, he mentored countless youths, particularly from Northern Ghana, and played a key role in facilitating higher education scholarships. In his younger years, he was known as a talented and energetic dancer, nicknamed “Kisco Darling”, winning numerous competitions in Tamale and Damongo and forming lifelong friendships.
Funeral Preparations and Anticipated Attendance
Preparations for the final rites have been extensive, with security measures implemented to manage the expected large crowd. High-ranking officials, traditional authorities, and government representatives are anticipated to attend, paying tribute to a man whose life was defined by service, humility, and dedication to Ghana’s development.
The funeral of Alhaji Mohammed Muniru is not only a farewell to a distinguished statesman but also a celebration of a life devoted to public service, peace-building, and community development.
EASTERN FM 105.1 MHZ will continue to provide live updates and detailed coverage of the funeral proceedings.
STORY BY KENNEDY NTI AMPONSAH
EASTERN FM 105.1 MHZ
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