Ex-First Lady of Ghana Dies

Accra, July 22, GNA - The Government was on Friday officially informed of the death of Mrs Mildred Christiana Akosiwor Ankrah, wife of the late Lieutenant-General Joseph A. Ankrah, a Former Head of State of Ghana during the National Liberation Council (NLC) era.

Nii Addo-Kofi Ankrah, Head of the Ankrah Family, who led a delegation to inform President John Agyekum Kufuor at the Castle, Osu said his late brother's wife died on June 9, 2005.

He said due to her contribution to the successful reign of the former Head of State it was appropriate the Government was informed of her death and burial arrangements.

President Kufuor paid tribute to Lt-Gen Ankrah as a distinguished Ghanaian, one of the first few Commissioned Officers of the Ghana Armed Forces and a Former Head of State was a no mean achievement, adding: 'His name is embedded in Ghana's history'.

He said the main support to Lt-Gen Ankrah was his wife Mildred, who served Ghana, "this is a matter to me as the current Head of State, I together with the entire nation mourn with a Lady, who served Ghana in those difficult times".

Nii Ankrah on behalf of the family presented customary drinks of two bottles schnapps to the Government.

Mrs Ankrah, 67, would be buried at the Osu Cemetery in Accra on Friday July 29 after burial and memorial service at the Wesley Methodist Cathedral at the Asafoatse Nettey Road.