President John Agyekum Kufuor on Friday said his government would accord distinguished statesmen who died with a befitting funeral in recognition of their services to the nation.

In line with this, President Kufuor declared that Mr Kojo Botsio, an elderly statesman and a founding member of the Convention People's Party (CPP) who died last week would be given a state funeral. "It is the last honour Ghana must do him," he said.

President Kufuor, however, could not immediately grant a request by the family that Mr Botsio should be buried beside the remains of Dr Kwame Nkrumah at the Accra mausoleum.

He told a large delegation of the bereaved relatives, friends and veteran politicians of the CPP tradition that called on him at the State House that he wanted to undertake a wide range of consultations on the request before giving a definite response.

In a tribute, President Kufuor described Mr Botsio, a minister in the first republic, as a "great man who served his country well and never got tired of serving the nation even into his ages".

President Kufuor said Mr Botsio worshiped together with him at the 'Christ the King' Parish adding that even though he did not fall into his political line, they always exchanged whispers.

"He distinguished himself in many streets as a Minister and outstanding statesman.

It is now the responsibility of the state to see him off befittingly." the President declared.

"Any country that does not recognise the value of its sons and elders is not worth sacrificing for". he added.

The delegation, led by Nana Edu-Effrim, Apamhene, was at the Presidency to inform the Government of the death and a proposal that Mr Botsio, one of the pioneers in Ghana's struggle for independence, should be buried on March three at the mausoleum.

Others included Professor George Hagan, presidential candidate for the CPP in last December's elections and Mr Kwesi Armah, a close pal of Botsio and also a founding member of the party.

Mr Armah, who was Ghana's High Commissioner to Britain in the First Republic, said Mr Botsio reached out not only to his party functionaries but a greater segment of society.

The delegation presented customary drinks to the President.