The Anlo Traditional Council (ATC) says it is staying off the ongoing funeral ceremonies lined up for the departed former Ghanaian Head of State, Flt-Lt Jerry John Rawlings.
According to the Council, it has resolved to have nothing to do with the funeral ceremony of their son, because their members were not invited.
The traditional council has, however, stated an intention to observe its own funeral ceremonies at a date to be announced soon.
The Avadada (Warlord) of the Anlo State, Togbi Agbesi Awusu II, stated the position of the council during a telephone interview with The Chronicle yesterday.
He alleged that the ongoing funeral activities have not been communicated to the Anlo traditional council and that, they only heard and read about on social media.
The late former Ghanaian Military Officer and Head of State hails from Dzelukope, in the Keta Municipality of the Volta Region.
The traditional authorities, a few years ago, enstooled Mr Rawlings as a chief, with the stool name Togbe Nutifafafia (Man of Peace) of the Anlo State.
Meanwhile, on Sunday, a Catholic Requiem Mass was held in honour of the late Jerry Rawlings at the Holy Spirit Cathedral, Accra.
Later in the day, a vigil was held at the Air Force Officers Mess, an event which drew the curtains on the activities for Day 1.
The following day, Monday (yesterday), at the Accra International Conference Centre (AICC), hundreds of Ghanaians had the opportunity to file past the mortal remains of the former President to pay their last respect to him.
It was a sorrowful moment with the aged, the middle-aged and young pouring in at the Centre.
Some people were seen bawling, with others visibly holding back their tears for the late former President.
The widow, Nana Konadu Agyemang Rawlings, who was seated together with her children, could not hold back her tears, with the children looking very sorrowful.
Some politicians were also at the AICC to pay their last respect to the former Head of State.
Particularly, a delegation of the party Rawlings founded, National Democratic Congress (NDC), led by Mr Samuel Ofosu-Ampofo, the National Chairman and Alhaji Mahama Iddrisu, the acting Chairman of the NDC’s Council of Elders, were among mourners.
Per the itinerary, the mortal remains will be laid-in-state for two-days at the foyer of the AICC, as part of a four-day state funeral.
Yesterday’s filing past was reserved for heads of the security agencies, leaders of political parties and the public.
Today, Tuesday, January 26, 2021 the filing past will start with the President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, the Vice-President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, former Heads of State, as well as heads of constitutional bodies.
Also, Members of Parliament, led by the Speaker, Mr Alban Kingsford Sumana Bagbin, former Speakers of Parliament, the Chief Justice, Justices of the Supreme Court, former Chief Justices, former chairmen and members of the Council of State, former ministers of state, among others, will file past the body.
Members of the Diplomatic Corps and organised groups will also pay their respects on Tuesday.
The remains of former President Rawlings will be entombed at the Military Cemetery at Burma Camp, in Accra, after a state funeral on Wednesday, January 27.
Former President Rawlings passed on at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital on November 12, 2019, after a short illness, aged 73.
The post Anlo Chiefs Snub JJ’s Funeral appeared first on The Chronicle Online.
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