The AICC adorned in Rawlings’ paraphernalia
The funeral activities for the late former President Flt. Lt. Jerry John Rawlings, Ghana’s longest serving leader, commenced yesterday with a requiem mass at the Roman Catholic Cathedral.
Born a Catholic and even having his early education in a Catholic School at Adabraka in Accra, the prominence of the faith’s rituals in the funeral is understandable.
The next major activity in the funeral lineup was the vigil at the Air Force Officers’ Mess, Giffard Road near El Wak Stadium, Accra.
His days in the Ghana Air Force as a fighter pilot were spent at this Officers’ Mess where the vigil was held yesterday as a mark of respect.
The remains of the former President will be handed over to the family today at the Accra International Conference Centre (AICC).
Most of the activities would take place at the AICC commencing from today, the highlight of which is the laying-in-state between 8:00am and 6:00pm.
According to the programme, today’s filing past will be restricted to the heads of security agencies, leaders of political parties and traditional leaders.
On Tuesday, January 26, President Akufo-Addo, the Vice-President, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, former heads of state and their spouses including heads of constitutional bodies, the Speaker of Parliament and former Speakers will also have the opportunity to pay their respects.
At 3:00pm on the same day, traditional and customary rites will be held at the foyer of the conference centre with the body of the former President still in state.
The Chief of Staff, former Presidents, Secretary to the President, Chief Justice, Speaker and Justices of the Supreme Court will also take their turns at the AICC on Tuesday.
On Wednesday the activities will shift to the Black Star Square for the continuation of the filing past procedure, this time by family members and the CDS.
The culmination of the rituals will be the full military burial that would be accorded to the former President.
Earlier the Anlo Traditional Council had performed their segment of the funeral, the former President having hailed from that part of the country.
Mr. Jerry John Rawlings died on Thursday, November 12, 2020.
He left behind a wife, former First Lady Konadu Agyemang Rawlings, and four children, one of whom is a Member of Parliament in the current legislature.
By A.R. Gomda