THE government has announced that it will accord the late Bafour Osei Akoto, Chief Linguist of the Asantehene, a state burial. This is in recognition of his contribution to the political, cultural and socio-economic development of the country.

President J. A. Kufuor announced this when a delegation from the Asantehene led by Baffour Kwaku Amankwa Abunyaa II, Ankobeahene of Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, the Asantehene and the Ashanti Regional Minister, Mr S. K. Boafo, called on him to formally inform him of the death of Baffour Osei Akoto and the funeral arrangements at the Castle, Osu in Accra yesterday.

Bafour Akoto, a former Member of Parliament for the Atwima Nwabiagya, a politician, traditionalist and one of the architects of the formation of the United Gold Coast Convention, died on September 3, at the age of 98. President Kufuor described Baffour Akoto as a father and the spirit behind the United Party (UP) tradition. He said, “But for Baffour Akoto, Ghana wouldn’t have enjoyed multi-party democracy.” He said Buffour Akoto was vindicated before his demise, saying “he died comfortably because he did not toil in vain.”

President Kufuor traced the late Chief Linguist’s entry into political arena to 1954 when he was elected MP and became the rallying point for the opposition parties at the time until he was detained in 1958. Baffour Abunyaa on his part, outlined the funeral arrangements for the late Chief Linguist.

He said, on November 13, there will be wake-keeping and laying in state while the burial service will be held at the St Peter’s Catholic Church on November 14. He will be buried at the royal masoleum at Himang on the same day. The final funeral rites will be held in Kumasi on Saturday and Sunday on November 16 and 17, 2002.

The Senior Minister, Mr J. H. Mensah, expressed the sympathy of the government to Asantehene, Asanteman and the bereaved family.

A member of the Council of State, Mr C. K. Tedam, described the death of Baffour Akoto as a sad news because he helped Ghana in its development efforts in several ways. Mr R. R. Amponsah, a veteran politician, described Baffour Akoto as an international figure, loving, understanding and a promoter of unity among Ghanaians.