President Mills Laid To Rest

The mortal remains of Professor Mills being accorded some military rites before it was lowered into the graveIt was a solemn scene at the Asomdwee Park when the mortal remains of the late President John Evans Atta Mills, was gradually lowered into the grave.

Pain and grief could be seen on the faces of scores of personalities including President John Mahama, former President J. J. Rawlings, a section of the clergy, when the former First Lady was asked to lay a wreath.

The visibly shaken former First Lady, mustered courage to perform the last duty for her husband.

Others who also laid wreaths were President Mahama, who did so on behalf of the government and people of Ghana with Dr Cadman Mills, brother to the late President laying one on behalf of the family.

Dr Mary Grant, a former Member of the Council of State laid the fourth wreath on behalf of the Council of Elders of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), the Member of Parliament (MP) for Osudoku, Mr Tetteh Assuming, laid the fifth on behalf of the MPs while the Chief of the Defence Staff, Lt Gen Augustine Peter Blay, laid the final one for the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF).

Although the ceremony was not open to the public, hundreds of people, in red and black attire thronged the Castle Avenue Road to catch a glimpse of the burial of the late President.

While the casket was being lowered into the grave, a 21 gun-salute boomed in the background. The Ghana Air Force flew three aircraft to salute their former Commander-in-Chief while the Ghana Navy sailed two ships in the Gulf of Guinea near the Independence Square.

Some doves were also released as a sign of respect for the man regarded as the Asomdwehen. (King of peace).

The newly built graveyard, which is named, “Asomdwee Park” , meaning, Peace Park, was draped in the national colours.

Ten national flags were hoisted near the graveyard.

Before the cortege of the late President arrived at the Asomdwee Park at exactly 2:55 pm, some senior military officers had taken position to pay their last respects to the late President.

As soon as the casket containing the remains of late President arrived at the park, followed by President Mahama, the Vice President, Mr Kwesi Amissah-Arthur, the wife of the late President, Mrs Naadu Mills and former President John Rawlings, a lull fell over the gathering with some of the people sheding tears.

Rev Dr Steve Asante performed the initial graveyard ceremony which involved the reading of scripture sentences and playing of solemn music by the Ghana Armed Forces Band.

The casket was lowered by a bearer party at exactly 3:15 pm against the backdrop of solemn music.

The committal ceremony was presided over by the Most Rev Prof Emmanuel K. Asante, Presiding Bishop of the Methodist Church of Ghana.

The brother of the late President, Dr Mills, in a short remark, revealed that before the President passed on, he raised his hands and said “God, I leave all with you.”

He expressed the belief that President Mills was resting in the bosom of the Almighty God.