Late Ghana President Atta Mills laid to rest

The Late President John Atta Mills, who was the Commander-in -Chief of the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF), was on Friday buried with full military honours at the Geese Park, now called Asomdwe (Peace) Park, adjacent to the Independence Square in Accra.

He was buried after a two-hour funeral service at the Independence Square attended by at least a dozen presidents and delegations from various parts of the world.

The dark casket was lowered into the tiled grave at 1515 hours.

The Most Rev. Emmanuel Asante, Presiding Bishop of the Methodist Church, performed the committal. Two minutes’ silence were observed for the late President.

The Right Reverend Francis Amenu, Moderator of the Evangelical Presbyterian Church of Ghana, then said the final prayer and benediction at 1600 hours.

President John Dramani Mahama, vice president Kwesi Bekoe Amissah-Arthur,  former First Lady Ernestina Naadu Mills, family members, former President Jerry John Rawlings, ministers of state, politicians and thousands of people witnessed the burial.

President Mahama laid a wreath, decorated in national colours, on behalf of the government and people of Ghana. Other wreaths were laid by Mrs Naadu Mills, Dr Cadman Mills on behalf of the family, Dr (Mrs) Mary Grant on behalf of the Council of State, David Asumeng, MP for Shai Osudoku on behalf of parliament and Lt.-General Peter Blay, Chief of the Defence Staff  on behalf of the Security Services.

Dr Mills thanked all the doctors who tried to resuscitate the late President on July 24 when he suffered a massive stroke. He said the last words of his late brother and president that he can remember were “God I leave it all to you.”

Earlier, the Independence Square and the streets leading to the Square were soaked in a sea of red and black as mourners paid their last respects to the late president who distinguished himself as a “King of Peace”.

Source: GNA