Accra, Aug. 10, GNA - The casket containing the mortal remains of the late President John Evans Atta Mills arrived at the Independence Square at 1040 hours on Friday.

The casket, draped in national colours, arrived after President John Dramani Mahama and his wife, Lordina, arrived at 1035 hours. It has been placed under a canopy for the church service to start.

President Mahama, dressed in long flowing robe, filed pass the coffin and lit the perpetual flame at 1106 hours.

Earlier, visiting presidents and heads of foreign delegations were ushered to the square.

The casket was carried from the Banquet Hall by Warrant Officers of the Ghana Air Force and escorted by pall bearers of the rank of Brigadier-General.

It was placed on a gun carriage as the late commander -in-chief is accorded full military honours. A bouquet of flowers has been placed on the casket.

The funeral cortege was led by dispatch riders while military horse riders from the Mounted Squadron of the Recce Regiment gave the gun carriage close escort.

GNA