Accra, March 17, GNA - Government was on Wednesday officially informed of the death of Mrs Lily Anna De Graft Johnson, widow of Dr J.W.S. De Graft Johnson former Vice President of Ghana during the Third Republic. A seven-member delegation from the Aduana-Abradze Family

of Cape Coast that informed President John Agyekum Kufuor of the death at the Castle, Osu was led by Mr. Henry Van-Hien Sekyi, a former Ghana's Ambassador to the United Nations (UN).

Mr Kofi Nti Ofori, cousin of the deceased and Spokesman of the family said the former Second lady died in Little Rock Arkansas, USA on Thursday, March 4, after a short illness.

He said the corpse was expected in Ghana on March 26 for burial and final funeral rites at Cape Coast on Saturday, April 3.

President Kufuor said Lily's death was a sad news to the government and Ghanaians, because the deceased was gentle, respectful and never rushed to express opinion on issues and therefore, brought honour to the office of the Vice President.

He said it was unfortunate that the tenure of office of the Third Republic was truncated and the first and second couples were not provided with the appropriate honour.

President Kufuor said government had therefore, resolved to ensure the right thing was done for the country.

He said one of the good things to nurture under Ghana's democracy was the special position of the first and second families by any government.

President Kufuor said: " it is the responsibility of the State to assume responsibility of the first and second families on assumption of office, while they are out of office until their death."