
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
-
Development studies is not a “degree to nowhere”—it’s the blueprint for nation-building
50 minutes -
President Mahama celebrates US on 250th Independence anniversary, reaffirms strong Ghana-US ties
55 minutes -
Australia appoints Keara Shaw as High Commissioner to Ghana
1 hour -
Zuma showing South Africa ‘middle finger’ by meeting Gupta brother – Minister
2 hours -
Ibrahim Mahama moves to support young AI developer Naamgwinaa Samuel
2 hours -
Evacuations in Guam as super typhoon Bavi approaches
3 hours -
Unbeaten in 34 matches – why Morocco are World Cup contenders
3 hours -
Former NAFCO CEO’s lawyers move to cite AG for contempt over airport arrest
4 hours -
Moment of destiny for France’s Le Pen in verdict to decide her future in presidential race
4 hours -
Chinese underground church figure Jin Mingri freed from prison
4 hours -
Flood mitigation: PRINPAG urges urban planning reforms, attitudinal change
4 hours -
Protect children against infections, flooding risks during rainy season — Paediatrician
4 hours -
‘A wilful violation of court order’ – Godfred Dame slams airport arrest of Hanan Abdul-Wahab
6 hours -
Show the evidence – Dame dares Deputy AG over frozen bank account allegation in Hannan arrest
6 hours -
GFA looks to the future after Colombia humbles Black Stars
7 hours