Regional News of Monday, 13 August 2012

Source: GNA

Ghanaians still trooping to late President Mills' grave

Three days after the burial of late President John Evans Atta Mills at the Asomdwee Park near the Osu Castle, scores of Ghanaians are still trooping to catch a glimpse of the final burial place of the departed leader.

While some of them were still garbed in mourning clothes of red and black, others were donned in different colors but curious to visit the final resting place of the late President.

A visit to the site by the Ghana News Agency (GNA) also revealed that photographers were taking advantage of the visitors to do brisk business.

Maame Akua Afriyie, a resident of Sakumono who spoke to the GNA said she was not allowed into the inner parameters of the independence square on Friday, and therefore decided to visit the grave of the late president to satisfy her curiosity.

“Today I will be able to tell my siblings something. At least I have taken photographs that will show them that I have visited the late President’s grave,” she told the GNA.

Jacob Quaye, a resident of Kokomlemle in Accra told the GNA that he decided to watch television on Friday because of the crowd. "And today I was very sure that the people will not be as many as they were on the burial day and that is why I have come to also know where our President was buried.”

He commended the security personnel for allowing the public to catch a glimpse of the final resting place of the late President and hoped the gesture would continue for the next weeks to offer more Ghanaians the opportunity to visit the grave.

Meanwhile, Mr. John Ofori, one of the photographers at the grave side told the GNA that business had boomed since the burial of the late President.

“Anybody that comes here wants to have a photograph for his or her album and that is why we are here to give them the opportunity and also make some money for the upkeep of our families, and I thank the security personnel for allowing us to do business here.”

The security personnel at the entrance of the road leading to the Castle have however intensified their surveillance on vehicles, as drivers are made to produce adequate identification before they are allowed in.**