Aug 10, 2012 at 4:35pm

The late President of the Republic of Ghana, Prof. John Evans Atta Mills, has been laid to rest at the newly developed Asomdwee (Peace) Park at the Marine Drive in Accra.

Tens of thousands of Ghanaians including 16 Heads of State and Government, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and members of the diplomatic corps graced the state funeral at the Independence Square (Black Star Square).

President Mills died on Tuesday, July 24 at the 37 Military Hospital after being taken ill. He was the flagbearer of the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC).

Ahead of his interment, the casket of late President Mills was placed on a gun carriage as the immediate past commander-in-chief of the Ghana Armed Forces, and went on procession through some principal streets of Accra.

A helicopter hovered overhead with thousands of Ghanaians dressed in mourning cloths following the cortege before it ended at the Geese Park – a bird sanctuary in between the Osu Castle and the Independence Square.

President Mills was lowered into his grave after brief military and religious ceremonies as well as wreath laying formalities at the Asomdwee Park.

Earlier at the burial service President Mahama said: “Late President Mills was humble, honest and peace loving, it will therefore be expedient for all Ghanaians to immortalize him by forging ahead for the development of Ghana.”

He said President Mills would not be happy in his grave if Ghanaians continue to create social and political divisions.

“President Mills was a man of God who abhorred political antagonism and we shall do him a lot of good if we avoid divisive tendencies in our political activities,” President Mahama added.

He also called for tolerance and asked Ghanaians to place premium on the saying that “unity is strength” to move the country forward in terms of growth and development.


By Citifmonline.com/Ghana