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Farouk Mahama, first son of the late Alhaji Aliu Mahama, has spoken on the need for the John Mahama led government to name a national monument after his father. The son of Ghana�s Vice-President under the erstwhile Kufuor administration believes the gesture will immortalise the memory and the contributions of Alhaji Mahama to the nation. According to Farouk, it was about time the government considered naming an edifice befitting his status in the North or anywhere in the country. �I think the old man has done a good job and I believe he is the only Northerner who rose through the ranks to become the first vice president of the republic� the late Vice-President�s son told the Daily Guide in an interaction on the sidelines at the launch of activities marking the first anniversary celebration in Accra yesterday. Mr. Mahama continued �So I believe government should look at an edifice befitting his status in the North or anywhere that is available because I believe he deserves it and it will also project the legacy of the old man�. Ing. Kwasi Abeasi, Chairman of the Planning Committee for the commemoration of the first anniversary, could not agree more with the suggestion of Farouk except to indicate that , �the powers that be must agree� to such national activity. Recalling the huge public dissent that welcomed similar moves in the past, he said: �There are competing names and so on, but I think he deserves it and we will be trying to get something done, but you know what happened to Ohene Djan Stadium, we (must be) sure that we will not have that kind of behavior�. Mr Abeasi, who is also the Chief Executive of Africa Investments Limited,v notes that until then, the�little, little things that will ensure that his name lives on� must be supported by all. The Chairman of the Aliu Mahama first anniversary Planning Committee bemoaned the current situation where �national heroes� are only remembered after their death. �The thing is being given a pat on your back, especially when you are alive, you don�t wait until he is gone and then you do all these beautiful things, he won�t see it� he emphasised contending that �every Ghanaian, every citizen who puts his shoulders to the wheel should be given a pat on the back, especially while he is alive. If we can do that you will see how a lot of people will sacrifice and give this country the necessary push�. The Africa Investments Limited Chief Executive was, however, quick to add that naming national monuments after Alhaji Aliu Mahama was for the whole nation to decide, especially the politicians. �The honour and the thought itself is enough for me, the thought that you think he deserves an institution or a monument named after him, shows that, at least, we appreciate the little he was able to do and for me that is all that it is needed� Ing. Abeasi stated insisting �some of us worked for the country and received nothing but we are proud to have served our country�. Earlier, Ing. Abeasi had told journalists that the week-long celebration would be heralded by a health walk on Saturday November 9, nationwide. Christian prayers on Sunday November 10 and a memorial lecture and the launch of the Aliu Mahama Foundation on Wednesday November 13 2013 in Accra. The others are nationwide Moslem Prayers on Friday November 15, wreath laying, final Aduah (prayers for the dead) led by the National Chief Iman and a football match between RTU and Wa All Stars in the afternoon of Sunday November 17 in Tamale. His Excellency Alhaji Aliu Mahama was a quantity surveyor, civil engineer and a contractor passed on November 16, 2012 after serving as Vice President of Ghana from 2001�2009.