The Family of the late President, Jerry John Rawlings and government have released list of activities marking his final funeral rites.
Addressing the media after a closed door meeting with the Funeral Committee, the family and the Anlo Traditional Council on Wednesday, Caretaker Minister of Information, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah announced that the activities will commence on Friday January 22, January 2021 with the main funeral event taking place at the Black Star Square in Accra on Wednesday January 27, 2021.
He noted that the national activities will start with a Catholic Requiem Mass on Sunday, January 24 at the Holy Spirit Cathedral and a vigil at the Air Force Officers Mess in Accra.
The former President will then be laid in state on Monday, January 25 and Tuesday, January 26 at the Accra International Conference Centre, where an opportunity would be provided for various interest groups and members of the public to file past and pay their last respects.
According to Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, before the late President would be laid in state, the Anlo Traditional Council will host a two-day’s traditional mourning.
Hon. Oppong Nkrumah emphasized the fact all funeral events will take place under a strict adherence to Covid-19 protocols and that the former President will receive a full military burial service on Wednesday, January 27.
“He will later be interred at the Military Cemetery in Accra – the government’s designated burial ground for all former Presidents,” he said.
Announcing the filling past arrangements, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah averred that Heads of security agencies, leaders of political parties and the general public will have the opportunity to file past the mortal remains of the former President on Monday, January 25.
“On Tuesday January 26, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, the Vice President, Vice-President, Dr. Mahamadu Bawumia, former heads of state and heads of constitutional bodies, the Speaker of Parliament and former Speakers will also have the opportunity to pay their respects. At 3pm on the same day traditional and customary rites will be held at the foyer of the conference centre with the body of the former President still in state,” he noted.
Present at the meeting ans subsequently the press conference were the children of former President Rawlings; Zanetor, Yaa Asantewaa, Amina and Kimathi Agyeman-Rawlings, The Chairman of the Funeral Planning Committee, Ambassador James Victor Gbeho, Colonel Joshua Agbotui, Head of the Agbotui family, Togbi Agbesi Awusi II, the Awadada of the Anlo State, the Chairman of the National Democratic Congress Council of Elders, Alhaji Mahama Iddrisu and Ambassador Yaw Kuma, Acting Director of State Protocol.
-Prosper Agbenyega
