General News of Wednesday, 8 August 2012

Source: radioxyzonline

Updates: Dignitaries file past remains

Early this morning at about 7:00am, the casket containing the remains of President Mills was brought out of the 37 Military Mortuary Morgue to mark the commencement of the funeral ceremony of the late president of the Republic of Ghana.

This was after the final funeral ritual was performed by the family of the late president.

A slow funeral procession from the hospital then left for the residence of the late president as customs demands at the Regimanuel Gray Estates at East Airport area.

The remains of President John Evans Atta Mills is currently being conveyed to the seat of government – Osu, Castle.

mills

Many mourners have lined up on the road to view the cortege amidst tears and wailing.

Updates

?8:32: am: ?Cortege moves past the State House.

8:45 am: Cortege has reached the Castle, Osu.

8:51am: Officials at the Castle are saluting the hearse. Mr. Bebaako-Mensah, Secretary to the President breaks down in tears.

8:53am: Chief of Staff John Henry Martey Newman prays for the soul of President Mills at the Castle. He asks for peace and leads the officials to say the Lord's prayer.

9:05am: Cortege leaves Castle for State House

9:30am: Cortege arrives at the State House as the hearse pulls up infront of the Banquet Hall.

9:40am Family head pours libation for the body to be sent inside the Banquet Hall

9:50am: The casket adorned with the red, gold and greed colours of the Ghana flag has being carried inside the Banquet Hall by pallbearers of the Ghana Air Force dressed in ceremonial attire.

sam

10:00am: Dr Richard Anane former Minister under the erstwhile Kufuor administration says Ghana has lost a good man.

10:00am There is a cultural display as fontonfrom drummers and dancers play mournful tunes on the main funeral park.

11:00am: Vice President Amissah-Arthur and President John Dramani Mahama have arrived at the State House to file past the remains of late President Mills. The President is clad in a black suit and leading the entourage to enter the hall.

11:10am: President Mahama, Vice President Amissah-Arthur, widow, Dr. Naadu Mills and Samuel Atta Mills (son of the late President) enter the auditorium.

11:05am: ?Ministers of State are all waiting for the President to file past the remains of President Mills.

12:pm Former President Kufuor pays his last respect.

12:10pm Nana Akufo-Addo, Jake Obetsebi Lamptey and other leading NPP members pay their last respect.

12:20pm: Former President Rawlings and wife pay their last respect**