The Tema Metropolitan Assembly (TMA) will on Thursday evening, organize a vigil in memory of Ghana’s late President, Professor John Evans Atta Mills, as part of the Metropolis’ preparation for his burial on Friday.

Speaking to the Ghana News Agency, Mr. Frank Asante, Public Relations Officer of the TMA, said the vigil was to give residents, companies, and organizations in the metropolis the opportunity to express their grief and condolences.

Mr. Asante said the ceremony, which would start at 1800 hours at the forecourt of the TMA, would last throughout the night to Friday, after which the Assembly would facilitate the movement of residents to the funeral grounds at the Black Star Square (Independence Square) in Accra.

He explained that the programme line-up include, a memorial service led by the Christian Council of Ghana, after which there would be reading of tributes, live band music, cultural performances, and poetry recitals.

Meanwhile, the GNA noticed that some people were still signing the book of condolence opened at the TMA, while trees, electrical poles and metal rails on the streets of the Tema Central Business area have been decorated with black and red cloths.

Traders at the Tema Community One Market were also clad in red and black cloths, T-shirts, hand and head bands, while some sang and danced to loud music emanating from a number of loud speakers mounted at vantage places in the market.

At the Tema Community One main lorry station, the story was not different as most drivers and their conductors were also wearing mourning clothing, and had tied red and black materials to their vehicles.

Nii Adjei Kraku II, Tema Mantse, on behalf of the Tema Traditional Council, and the people of Tema, has expressed their condolence to late President Mills’ widow, Dr. Mrs. Ernestina Naadu Mills, the Government, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and all Ghanaians.

Nii Kraku entreated all leaders, especially political leaders, to learn from the good leadership style of Prof. Mills and copy his exemplary life.

He also called on all Ghanaians to keep and respect the peace that have been manifested during the mourning period of President Mills and extend it to the election and beyond.**