Audio By Carbonatix
Benjamin Aidoo, the man behind the viral ‘dancing pallbearers’ meme, says he would be honoured to 'take Ronaldinho to his final home’.
Aidoo set up Nana Otafrija Pallbearing and Waiting Services in Accra in 2007, aiming to bring some joy into the funeral service by celebrating the life of the deceased with music and dance.
"Some people don't want to cry anymore,” Aidoo explained to Foot Mercato. “Others do cry, but whether they want to cry or not, we make them happy, we make them happy thanks to what we do.”
The company have now become famous beyond Ghana and all over the world, with one video of their service in particular finding popularity on social media.
A supporter of Barcelona and Chelsea, Aidoo was jokingly asked which footballer he would most like to take to their grave.
“I wish them a long life, of course, but if I had that chance, I dream of driving Ronaldinho to his last home!” he said. “Then Maradona and finally Messi. Ronaldinho is a player who has always impressed me.
“It would be a tribute from the dancer that I am to the dancer that he was in the field.”
There is some conflict in Aidoo’s footballing allegiance. As a Barca fan, he admits finding it difficult celebrating the success of Luis Suarez – the man who helped dump Ghana out of the 2010 World Cup with his last-gasp handball on the line to deny a certain goal.
“I'm divided. I am ashamed. I feel so bad,” he said. “Whenever I see this player, even when I hear his name, Suarez, I am sad.
“Because a hand from Suarez made my Ghana team return home without being able to play in the semi-finals, which was terrible.
“We have a saying here for Suarez. The name Suarez means the impossible. If you want to achieve something or go somewhere and Suarez is there, it means that you will not succeed. If you really want something and Suarez is there, you can never reach it.”
The resulting penalty from Suarez’ handball was infamously missed by Asamoah Gyan, Ghana’s top appearance-maker and record goalscorer. Despite his many accomplishments, Aidoo says many still haven’t forgiven him.
“No, no, they still haven't forgiven him,” he said. “You know that Ghanaians do not forgive.
“The day he missed the penalty, some Ghanaians went to his mother's house and harassed her. His failure had consequences on her mother's health after that, it was really sad.
“So his mother told Asamoah to never take a penalty in his life again. This is why you will never see Asamoah again venture to take a penalty. Because he promised never to risk it again, and now that his mother is 80 years old, I think he is following his wish, never to take a penalty for Ghana again.”
Latest Stories
-
MobileMoney Ltd breaks silence on viral TikTok fraud claim, urges public to dial 419
51 minutes -
Blind refugee found dead in New York after being released by immigration authorities
1 hour -
Stanbic Bank Ghana leads $205m financing for Engineers & Planners
1 hour -
MobileMoney Ltd responds to viral TikTok video by Healwithdiana, advises customers to report fraud on 419
2 hours -
Mobile Money Ltd’s Paapa Osei recognised in Legal 500 GC Powerlist: Ghana 2026
2 hours -
Flights in and out of Middle East cancelled and diverted after Iran strikes
2 hours -
Dr Maxwell Boakye to build 50-bed children’s ward at Samartex Hospital in honour of late mother
2 hours -
One killed and 11 injured at Dubai and Abu Dhabi airports as Iran strikes region
2 hours -
Former MCE, 8 others remain in custody over alleged land fraud in Kumasi
2 hours -
Black Queens players stranded in UAE over Israel-Iran conflict
3 hours -
James Owusu declares bid for NPP–USA chairman, pledges renewal and unity
4 hours -
Trump threatens strong force if Iran continues to retaliate
4 hours -
Lekzy DeComic gears up for Easter comedy special ‘A Fool in April’
5 hours -
Iran declares 40 days of national mourning after Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s death
6 hours -
Family of Maamobi shooting victim makes desperate plea for Presidential intervention
7 hours
