Accra, Sept 22, GNA - A delegation from the family of Rear-Admiral Tom Annan (rtd), Ghana's High Commissioner in India, on Wednesday called on President Jerry John Rawlings at the Castle, Osu, to inform him that his funeral would be held next month.

The Head of Family, Nana Kwame Menya IV, Kyidomhene of Oguaa, who led the delegation, said Rear-Admiral Annan, a former Navy Commander, would be laid in state on October 28 and would be buried the next day.

President Rawlings described him as a courageous and dedicated officer, who helped to cool down tempers during the early days of the PNDC era. "He contributed to peace and stability in the country".

Mr Nathan Quao, an adviser to the President, said the late High Commissioner "served Ghana with dedication and left behind a legacy of dedication. He will be an inspiration to the Armed Forces".

Lt-Col E. K. T. Donkor, Minister of Defence, recalled some of the exploits of Rear-Admiral Annan and said during the AFRC era when naval ratings at Tema rejected their officers and the situation was explosive "it was Tom, who stepped in to cool tempers".

"Again during the early days of the erstwhile PNDC regime when naval ratings at Sekondi started maltreating some of their officers it was Tom, who stepped in to cool tempers. He was courageous".