Jerry Rawlings to be buried January 27 at Military Cemetery, Accra

By Emeka Nze

The mortal remains of the late President, Jerry John Rawlings, will be interred at the Military Cemetery at Burma Camp in Accra on Wednesday, January 27, 2021.

The former President died on Thursday, November 12, 2020, at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital in Accra.

At a press briefing in Accra on Wednesday, a caretaker Minister of Information, Mr Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, said the funeral activities for the late Rawlings will commence on Friday, January 22, 2021.

As part of the arrangements, the Anlo Traditional Council will hold a series of celebratory and traditional events in honour of Mr Rawlings on Friday, January 22 and Saturday, January 23 in Anlo.

On Sunday, January 24, national activities will start with a Catholic Requiem Mass at the Holy Spirit Cathedral in Accra, followed by a vigil at the Air Force Base at 6pm.

On Monday, January 25, the mortal remains of the late President Rawlings will be laid in state at the Accra International Conference Centre (AICC).

According to Mr Oppong Nkrumah, the filing past of the mortal remains of Mr Rawlings on Monday will start with the heads of security agencies, leaders of political parties and the public.

On Tuesday, the filing past will resumes at 9am and will be led by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, the Vice President, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia; former heads of state and heads of constitutional bodies.

At 10am Parliament, led by Speaker, Mr Alban Bagbin and former speakers will file past the body.

At noon, the Chief Justice, Justices of the Supreme Court and former Chief Justices will file past the body, at 1pm Former Chairman and Members of the Council of State, as well as former ministers of state will file past and then at 2pm, the diplomatic corps will file past.

He said at 3pm, traditional and customary rites and celebrations will be held at the foyer of the AICC while the body is still in state.

On Wednesday, January 27, the burial service for the late Rawlings will be held at the Black Star Square in Accra with full military honours led by the Ghana Armed Forces.

He said the body will later be interred at the Military Cemetery at Burma Camp in Accra.

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