Accra, April 29, GNA - President Evans Atta Mills, on Thursday joined thousands of people from all walks of life to mourn Mr. Bernard. J. da-Rocha, the first National Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), at the Christ the King Catholic Church in Accra on Thursday. The President filed past the body of the luminary lawyer and renowned politician before it was conveyed to Cape Coast, his home town, for final funeral rites and burial.

President Mills interacted with the children and other family members of da-Rocha and paid a glowing tribute to the fallen statesman and politician. The President consoled the family to be steadfast and strong in the Lord, saying: "It is the Lord who gives and it is the Lord who takes" and asked them to be hopeful that the Lord would give their lost father a good place in heaven..

At the funeral were former President John Agyekum Kufuor, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and Mr Alan Kyeremanteng, both NPP presidential hopefuls, other leading members of the party and members of the diplomatic corps clad in various funeral dresses..

Also present were a blend of old and young members of the law fraternity, who took opportunity of the funeral service to exchange pleasantries with one another.. Mr. da-Rocha was born on the 18th May 1927 in Cape Coast, attended Adisadel College and rose through many educational disciplines to become one of Ghana 's indisputable luminaries .