Walewale (Northern Region) -- The final funeral rites of the late Alhaji Mumuni Bawumia a former Chairman of the Council of State were on Sunday performed at Walewale in the West Mamprusi District.

Alhaji Bawunia who died last month after a short illness, left behind two wives, 19 children and several grandchildren. He served in various positions in different governments and in the PNDC regime he was made Ambassador to Saudi Arabia and later made the Chairman of the Council of State.

The Vice-President, Alhaji Aliu Mahama led a high level government delegation to the funeral, while the former President, Jerry John Rawlings and the former Vice-President Professor John Evans Atta Mills, led the National Democratic Congress (NDC) delegation.

Other members of the government delegation were Attorney-General and Minister of Justice Nana Akufo-Addo, Papa Owusu Ankomah, Majority Leader in Parliament, Dr Majeed Haroun, Deputy Minister of Food and Agriculture and the Greater Accra Regional Minister, Sheikh I.C. Quaye.

The NDC delegation included Alhaji Mahama Iddrissu Presidential Adviser on Governmental Affairs under the NDC government, Mr Alban Bagbin Minority Leader in Parliament and Mr Enoch Teye Mensah, former Minister of Youth and Sports.

Dr Edward Mahama, Leader of the PNC and Alhaji Ibrahim Mahama of the CPP, were also present. Glowing tribute were read by the Council of State, the NDC, PNC, CPP, traditional rulers and the family.

The government donated 45 million cedis and a bull for the performance of the funeral. Alhaji Abu Mahama in his tribute said by his death, the late Alhaji Bawumia had created a big vacuum not only for the Mamprugu Traditional Area but the whole country.

He said he dedicated his life for the development of the entire country and the Northern Region in particular. Alhaji Mahama said in recognition of his services to the nation, the late Alhaji Bawumia who was also paramount chief of the Kperiga Division Area of the Mamprugu Traditional Area, was honoured with the title of Member of the Star of Ghana, Civil Division, in 1999.