GOV'T awaits Rawlings' family over final rites

The Office of the President has directed the families of the late former President Jerry John Rawlings to do well and communicate the agreed date for his final rites to the President.

This will  help inform the government’s planning process for a befitting ceremony for the late statesman.

The office of the President, however, said it is the responsibility of the state to accord the former President a befitting state burial and, therefore, wants all outstanding matters to be resolved for that to happen.

“The family is working in conjunction with the government on the finer details of the funeral ceremony and will communicate the arrangements in due course”, the statement said.

This comes after the family of Jerry John Rawlings denied reports of the funeral date of the country’s longest-serving head of state.

The date was made known by James Victor Gbeho, Head of Funeral Planning Committee in a press release, Monday, which said the family in consultation with government have agreed on December 23, for the funeral.

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But Secretary to the Agbotui family in a press release noted that the said consultation with the family never took place.

The Awadada of Anlo State also said  that the announcement of December 23 as the burial date was not just a show of disrespect for Anlo values, but disregard for the unity and peace of the Ghanaian people, which the late Mr Rawlings upheld.

“Our anger stems from the fact that President J. J. Rawlings was not only a former Head of State and President of the Republic of Ghana, but he was also a properly-installed Chief of Anlo land, whose unfortunate demise must be dealt with in accordance with customs and traditions of Anlo.”

The office of the presidency hasalso urged institution and organizations who wants to send tributes to do so using a particular medium

It added: “Individuals and institutions who wish to contribute tributes to the memory of Flt Lt Jerry John Rawlings are reminded to email such tributes to [email protected].”

 Former President Jerry John Rawlings died on Thursday, November 12, at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital in Accra after a short illness as said by joynews.

The Statement reads