Among Ghanaians in general, especially those in the Diaspora and our relatives back home, one event that brings the community together is bereavement. And the reason for this was demonstrated in an emergency meeting organized by the Ghanaian Community and sympathizers in the Hamburg city of Germany.

A well formulated initiative to summon up Ghanaian community Leaders, Ghana Union,Christian Council, local ethnic groups as well as Muslim communities to deliberate on preparation of one week celebration and funeral arrangements for the Late Prof. John Evans Atta Mills (immediate Former President of Republic of Ghana)

Highlights of the meeting were as follows: the meeting came out with an ad hoc funeral planning committee to take charge of all related responsibilities especially the forth coming one-week celebration which falls on Tuesday 31st of July 2012.

According to the release signed by the planning committee’s chairman, Mr. Donkor Fofie, Mourners, including relatives, Ghanaian community, sympathizers, loved ones and well-wishers all over Hamburg and beyond shall all converge at the forecourt of the Ghana consulate in Hamburg to express condolences to the bereaved family.

Mrs. Mary Oduro - NPP Germany National women organizer who happens to be a member of the planning committee has played a key roll in terms of organizational skills. She pointed out that, “we shall all march to the forecourt of the consulate to demonstrate to the Germans that we have lost our President. We have to show our condolences and honor our beloved late President with sympathy Flowers and Funeral candles”

The venue of the Ghana consulate is at Luebecker Strasse Nr.1 (22087 Hamburg) Directions: Take U- Bahn 1- from Main train station towards Farmsen / Wandsbek Markt - after 2 stops. Date: Tuesday 31st July 2012 Time: 10.00hrs to 18.00hrs. All Ghanaians and the general public are cordially invited.

“The committee has put in place porters at the venue to offer assistance to all visitors. This process is in accordance with national released protocol from the castle - Accra as per the celebration of one week directives”. - The statement explained

In furtherance to the above program, the committee has proposed to organize a grand one-week funeral celebration on Saturday 4th August.. Venue and time shall be announced sooner or later thereafter the main funeral shall follow.

In presence at the meeting were: Mrs. Marian Nana Aba (aka- Dadson) niece – a blood relative of the late Prof. Mills, Mr. Francis Anderson – a relative and other family members. The family head “abusuapanyin” who chaired the meeting was Nana Jacob Abaidoo however reiterated that, “this is not the matter of ethnicity or political groups having bereavement. However, it’s funeral for all Ghanaians as such each and everyone has a responsibility”

The planning committee wishes to take this opportunity to appraise those Ghanaian patriots and NDC members who championed the cause to initiate this unprecedented program to foster unity among Ghanaians in the wake of our late President’s funeral. They are: Joe Buckmen, Roland Raji, Kwabena Nyamekye, Kwadwo Ofosuhene and Chris Mensah.

Report by: Mensah Dekportor (Hamburg)

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