BY: Rita Nedjoh | Voltaonlinegh.com |
The Agbotui, Tamakloe and Allied families of the Anlo state are demanding to take possession of the mortal remains of their departed son, late president Jerry John Rawlings, for the final traditional rites on 29 and 30th January 2021.
The family in a press statement signed by the chairman Godson Agbotui stated that the chiefs and people of the Anlo state led by the Agbotui and allied families have resolved to take possession of the mortal remains of their departed son Togbi Nutifafa I
According to them, the decision to proceed to continue Prez Rawling’s final traditional rites and burial on 29th and 30th January 2021 is in line with the customs and traditions of the Anlo state.
Meanwhile, the family has announced that the Government should go ahead to hold all officially planned activities for the burial and other activities except the final burial at the Military cemetery in Accra.
“after a meeting held at the Awaadada palace in the Anlo state on January 17, 2021 we announce that our sisters and brothers on the central planning committee expressed their personal opinions which do not reflect the views of the family in general on matters relating to the burial place of the late President JJ Rawlings” they stated
The family has however commended Government for its efforts, commitment and preparations towards the final funeral rites of the late President for a befitting state funeral but has however called for the cancellation of the intended plans of the burial place.
BACKGROUND
The first President of the fourth republic and former President of the republic of Ghana flight Lieutenant Jerry John Rawlings died on Thursday, November 12, 2020 at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital in Accra after a short illness.
A communique by the foreign affairs ministries dated 8th January, 2021 to the international community and diplomatic missions sighted by voltaonlinegh.com announced the final funeral arrangement of the late President JJ Rawlings scheduled for 24th to 27th January, 2021.
This came after concerns were raised by the Agbotui and Allied families and the Awadada of the Anlo state about the initial date scheduled for the burial arrangement and burial place of their son and chief, Togbi Nutifafa I of the Anlo state.
However the communique announced that the late president Rawlings will be laid in state from January 24 to 26 at the Foyer of the Accra International Conference Centre (AICC) from 9 am to 5 pm daily and a burial mass on January 26, from 9 am to 11 am at the Holy Spirit Cathedral in Accra.
A burial service for the Ghana’s first president of the Fourth Republic will be held on January 27, from 9 am to 11 am at the independence Square in the Greater Accra region.
Source: www.voltaonlinegh.com