Mourners file past body of Late President Mills

Accra, Aug. 8, GNA - The body of Late President John Evans Atta-Mills lies in state at the Banquet Hall of the State House as mourners file past the immediate past President who died suddenly on July 24 2012.

Dressed in black suit, the Late President is lying in a closed glassed screen in a garden of flowers in the national colours of Ghana, Red, Yellow, Green with a Black.

As mourners file past the body, dirges in the sound of Atemteben, traditional bamboo flute and organ accompaniment sounded to herald the journey of the Ghanaian leader who would be buried on Friday.

The hall has been washed with mourning colours and the pillars that held the hall have been draped with the flag of Ghana.

A giant portrait of the 68 years old Late President that had indicated his commitment to peace generally and to peace before, during and after the forthcoming elections had the inscription, 'Peace I leave with my Nation'.

The Late President though motionless lies as if he were asleep as mourners file past his body showing their last respect.

Guards stood sentry as mourners file past the body, outside the hall also stood crowds of people waiting to enter the hall to see for the last time the Late President.

Among the dignitaries that had paid their last respect were close family members and some of the extended family, who had arrived earlier to sit in state to receive mourners.

Among the first to file past the body were the successor of the Late President, President John Dramani Mahama, and his Vice, Mr Paa Kwesi Amissah-Arthur, First Lady, Dr Naadu Mills and Mr Kofi Sam Atta Mills, son of the Late President.

Former President John Agyekum Kufour and the New Patriotic Party Flagbearer Nana Akufo-Addo, Former President Jerry John Rawlings and wife Nana Konadu Agyeman Rawlings, Delegation from Parliament, and Ministers of State, Executives of the ruling National Democratic Congress, leadership of the Convention Peoples Party, and other members of the general public have all file passed the body.

The body of the Late President had earlier on arrived in a Limousine Hearse escorted by the police constabulary, displaying antics of people in service.

The funeral is being carried live by the National Broadcasting Station, Ghana Broadcasting Corporation, on both radio and television in memory of the man who took the mantle to head the more than 22 million Ghanaians, when he was sworn leader on January 7, 2009, in a closely contested presidential election.

The Fire Service, the Paramedics, the ambulance service, and all security services are on standby in case of any emergencies.

GNA