The mood in Kumasi, Ghana’s second largest city, is that of resignation, somberness, and pain as the process towards the funeral of President John Evans Atta Mills got underway.

The dominant colours were black and red, with badges and miniature of the late President affixed to the clothes of many of the people.

The clogging of the roads, usual with the early morning rush hours, was completely absent and the streets appeared eerily quiet. A significant number of private and commercial cars could also be seen decorated with red, signifying that they were mourning. Although not a public holiday, there were not much activities going on in most of the offices.

The workers were seen glued to television sets, determined to follow every detail of the state funeral at the State House in Accra. At the Adum Central Business Area, Kejetia Lorry Terminal and the Central Market, the heartbeat of the metropolis, the air was filled with deeply touching aged-old mourning tunes.

Madam Akosua Agyeiwaa, 58, a petty trader, said it was her prayer that God would give the late President eternal rest.

Meanwhile, the Ashanti Regional Coordinating Council (RCC) in conjunction with the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA) would be holding a vigil and bonfire at the Jubilee Park later in the evening. Giant screens would also be erected from where the people would watch funeral events taking place in Accra.