The Vice-President John Evans Atta Mills led a government delegation to attend the funeral of the late Sergeant David Ahiabor of the Fourth Battalion of Infantry in Kumasi, who died in a motor accident on April 29, 2000.

He died together with Mr John Arthur, Chairman of the Kumasi Subin Sub-metropolitan Council when the car in which they were travelling to Ho for the NDC National Delegates' Congress was involved in an accident near Ho.

Two other persons, who were also on board the vehicle, however escaped death.

Mr Samuel Nuamah-Donkor, Ashanti Regional Minister, Mr D. S. Boateng, a Minister of State, Mrs Joana Appiah-Dwomoh, Deputy Ashanti Regional Minister and Alhaji Huudu Yahaya, General Secretary of National Democratic Congress (NDC) were in the delegation.

The others were Mr Ossei Piessie-Anto, NDC Deputy Propaganda Secretary, Mr P. E. K. Antwi, Regional Chairman of the Party and Nana Akwasi Agyeman, Kumasi Metropolitan Chief Executive.

The delegation was welcomed to the 4-BN Old Parade Grounds where the service took place by Major-General Henry K. Anyidoho, General Officer Commanding the Northern Sector Brigade Group, who together with the Regional Minister, then led the Vice-President and the delegation to greet the bereaved family.

Prof Mills extended the sympathies of President Jerry John Rawlings and the government to the bereaved family and urged them not to let the death of their loved one completely dampen their spirits.

They should see it as the work of the creator and put their trust in God.

The Vice-President appealed to the family of the late Sgt Ahiabor not to forsake nor abandon the spouse and children of the deceased to their fate but endeavour to make adequate provision to support and properly cater for them.

The family should not, therefore, try in any way to shirk such a duty just because their brother, relative or loved one had passed away.

Professor Mills called on all those "who do not as at now know God to begin to identify closely with Him as their Creator since their relationship with God after death will depend on how they conducted themselves while on earth".

In a brief sermon at the service, Major David Adoteye-Asare, Senior Garrison Chaplain said death was inevitable and that there was no point for anybody to either attempt dodging or avoiding it.

He stressed that what was important was for people to live decent and upright lives while preparing themselves for death at any time since they were merely in transit on earth.

Major Adoteye-Asare prayed, committing the soul of the late Sgt Ahiabor into the loving and caring hands of the Lord.

The late Sgt Ahiabor, 50, who is survived by a wife and three children, was enlisted into the Ghana Army in 1974 and served in many capacities including peace-keeping duties until his untimely death on April 29. — GNA