The Volta Regional administration last Thursday night held a vigil for the late President Atta Mills which was described as the second largest after the national vigil in Accra, the national capital.

Every human activity virtually came to a halt as chiefs, individuals, politicians, religious leaders and even the disabled poured out on to the streets on Ho in a candle light procession that ended with a vigil.

The procession started at 6:00pm from the RTC Park in Ho through some principal streets of the municipality and ended at the auditorium of the Ho Polytechnic.

The procession which was led by the Volta Regional Minister Henry Ford Kamel and chiefs, heads of security agencies, leaders of political parties and the clergy, lasted about two hours.

The candle light procession and vigil was the brain child of the Volta Regional Coordinating Council in collaboration with the Ho Municipal Assembly.

It was supported by the Ho Polytechnic who gave the auditorium and KCS, a popular fast food joint, provided free food for the many people gathered there.

Celebrity Gift Shop also decorated the auditorium for free and also provided a spot where the many candle lights were placed to honour President Mills.

The Metro Mass Transit Company, EP Mawuko Girls SHS, and Ho Polytechnic provided buses to convey people after the vigil for free.

The security agencies were on hand to provide adequate security for the entire event.

Although it was held in Ho, the event drew people from all parts of the region and outside it. Every home, hamlet and corner was virtually empty as every soul in Ho partook in the event.

Shops and drinking spots were closed while ones that were open were not patronized due to the procession. However businesses picked up after the procession as many stayed awake throughout the night.

The whole town was in red and black with wailing, drumming and dancing being a common sight. The thousands of mourners who filled the streets looked like a sea of red with black patches blazing with tongues of fire.

Also in attendance was the sensational Zibo group, a dynamic 'Jama' group of the area, the Police Band, various brass bands and other dance groups from surrounding villages and towns. Whiles the wailing and dancing was ongoing, others were seriously engaging in brisk business selling paraphernalia of Atta Mills.

At the Ho Polytechnic, the 2,000 capacity auditorium was full, with many others viewing through the glass windows of the gallery. The basement of the Polytechnic and the gardens around it which had canopies raised and with seats were all full with many more standing or making frantic attempts to catch a glimpse of the giant screens mounted at vantage points.

At the vigil, the Volta Regional Minister Henry Ford Kamel, in the welcome address, was delighted that for once, Ghanaians have forgotten about Politics, tribe and creed and were united in mourning the late President.

He commended Voltarians for setting the pace in mourning Mills and stressed that no president had done more for the region than Atta Mills did in his three and half years reign.

Mr. Kamel described the region as the second hometown of President Mills adding that if the people of Central region saw the gesture they will know that 'we are brothers.'

This was followed by scripture readings read by representatives of the various political parties. Various individuals, traditional leaders, political parties and groups gave tributes, followed by a sermon from the Catholic Bishop of Ho, Most Reverend K. Anani Lodonu.

Various choirs and the Police Band treated the crowd to beautiful dirges and gospel music.

From Fred Duodu, Ho