At least 15 Heads of State and other dignitaries are expected at the funeral in the Ghanaian capital, Accra today August 10.
No fewer than 15 Heads of State, Vice Presidents and other international dignitaries are expected today in the Ghanaian capital for the obsequies of former President John Evans Attah Mills who passed away on July 24 in a military hospital in Accra at the age of 68. He reportedly died of throat cancer.
The Chairman of the Funeral Committee, Kofi Totobi-Quakyie made this known in Accra on Tuesday August 7 at a press briefing on the final funeral arrangements. According to the Daily Graphic newspaper of Ghana, US Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton and four special envoys from the United States of America as well as the newly elected President of the African Union Commission, Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, would also be attending the State funeral and burial.
Also among those expected at the ceremony are Presidents Goodluck Jonathan of Nigeria, Issoufou Mahamadou of Niger, Thomas Yayi Boni of Benin, Alassane Ouattara of Côte d’Ivoire and ECOWAS Chairman, Theodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo of Equatorial Guinea and Blaise Campaore of Burkina Faso.
Meanwhile, the body of Prof. Mills was laid in State for public viewing at State House from Wednesday August 8, 2012 till this morning. President John Dramani Mahama, his wife Lordina were the first to file past the casket. AFP news agency reported that Ghanaians, including former Presidents John Kuffor, Jerry Rawlings, dressed in black traditional garb and T-shirts bearing images of late President Mills, filed through the hall to see the body.
According to Koffi Totobi-Quakyie, the late Atta-Mills, the first Ghanaian President to die in office, is to be buried on the grounds of the seat of government at Osu Castle in Accra. Totobi-Quakyie announced that the family will hold a private service in Mills' place of birth, Ekumfi Otuam, on Sunday August 12.
In readiness for the funeral, the Ghanaian capital is now filled with tributes to Prof. Mills who is widely remembered for his integrity. Most of the city’s residents are dressed in black and red bands and scarves as symbols of their grief. Accra Regional Police Commissioner, DCOP Patrick Timbillah said comprehensive security arrangements had been put in place, with major roads to be cordoned off.
