Late Lawra accorded State funeral

Lawra, Feb 25,GNA- Vice President Aliu Mahama on Friday led a high-powered government delegation to attend the state funeral of the late Naa Abeifa Karbo II, Paramount Chief of the Lawra Traditional Area. The funeral grounds was filled by a large number of mourners including members of the Council of State, chiefs, ministers of state, parliamentarians and politicians.

A contingent from the Tamale Airborne Force sounded the final post amidst 21 gunshots and lowered the casket draped in the national colours into a grave at the Royal Mausoleum. This was preceded by a variety of customary funeral rites that demonstrated the varied cultural practices of the Northern, Upper East and Upper West regions as well as the Techiman Traditional Area, which has ancestral ties with Lawra.

Alhaji Aliu who read the State's tribute described the late chief as a man of substance. " He was a politician, traditional ruler, public servant and a teacher," he said. " His inspiration, his tremendous courage, his integrity and the warmth of feeling for his fellow man will remain a beacon for those who share his convictions and aspirations". Alhaji Aliu said Naa Abeifaa Karbo who championed the cause of the north also served the entire country in the various capacities that he found himself. " It is therefore with deep sorrow that I speak to you today and pay tribute to his memory," he lamented.

The Vice President presented 25 million cedis and assorted drinks to the bereaved family on behalf of the State. Other state institutions and political parties, including the Council of State the Police Council, Public Services Commission also made their contributions. Naa Abeifaa Karbo, born on 7th January 1927, the day his father, Naa Jorbie Akodam Karbo I, was enskinned as Lawra Na, started his basic education at the Lawra Native Primary School, and later trained as a teacher.

In 1965 he was called to the Ghana Bar Association. Naa Abeifaa Karbo served in many capacities as a Member of Parliament, Commissioner of Agriculture, Chairman of the Public Services Commission. The late chief who was a Member of the Council of State until his death on December 11, last year, ruled for over 14 years. Two widows and 16 children survived him.