Burial took place at the mausoleum of the Holy Trinity Church of God, Okoman, Dome, in Accra on Friday of the Dr Ebenezer Ako-Adjei, a statesman, diplomat, journalist and a politician.

Dr Ako Adjei, 86, was the last of the "Big Six" in Ghanaian politics, who agitated for independence from colonial rule. He died on January 1, after a short illness.

Before the burial a state funeral service was held at the forecourt of the State House.

Present were politicians, parliamentarians, ministers of state, members of the Council of State, the diplomatic corps, chiefs, relatives, friends and sympathisers.

President Kufuor and his wife on arrival paid their last respects to the body, which was in a white casket on a raised platform bedecked with flowers and wreaths.

He then exchanged greetings with the bereaved family and dignitaries present as the Central Army Band and a massed choir provided music and an "Atenteben" group sung dirges.

Mr Joseph Henry Mensah, Senior Minister, who read the government's tribute, said Dr Ako Adjei was among those who articulated the dream of African unity and political agitation in the country.

He said after the break away of the Convention Peoples' Party (CPP) from the United Gold Coast Convention (UGCC), Dr Ako-Adjei became the bridge between the two political groupings.

Mr Mensah said Ghana had lost a gem because it could not benefit from his experiences and undoubted wisdom.

"When we learn from his life we resolve never again to have a person of his stature to suffer his fate," he added.

The Right Reverend Dr Sam Prempeh, Moderator of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana, in a sermon said all lives found fulfilment in the Lord and joy of His kingdom and death becomes the gateway to everlasting life.

He said as social beings whatever one did affected a neighbour and had the potential to make someone happy or sad.

Rt. Rev. Prempeh said for the National Reconciliation Policy to be meaningful and sustainable for the country to make headway, now and in future, all and sundry should shun all forms of anti-social activities.

He said the church would continue to preach against all such activities to make the country a safe place.

President Kufuor laid a wreath on behalf of the government and people of Ghana, Mr Hackman Owusu-Agyemang laid another on behalf of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mr Paul Adu-Gyamfi, President of the Ghana Bar Association laid the third on behalf of the association while a family member laid the fourth one on behalf of the bereaved family.