The Casket containing the remains of the late President, John Evans Atta Mills was led into the Independence Square, formerly the Black Star Square this morning for commencement of the final funeral rites in Accra.

The casket was conveyed by personnel of the Ghana Armed Forces made up of the Mounted Squadron, the Pall Bearers and carried by the Ghana Navy, Army and the Air Force in their ceremonial dresses.  The late president who was the Commander-in-Chief of the Ghana Armed Forces was given full military respect and burial by Service commanders.

This was after the arrival of dignitaries including sixteen African Heads of State and Foreign Ministers, the President of the Republic of Ghana, H.E. John Dramani Mahama and his vice H.E. Paa Kwesi Bekoe Amissah-Arthur.

Among the dignitaries were the former presidents Jerry John Rawlings and John Agyekum Kufuor and their wives, the Speaker of Parliament Rt. Hon. Joyce Branford Addo and Members of Parliament and Ministers of State, the Chief Justice Mrs Georgina Theodora Wood   and other invited guests.

The National Anthem was played and the President John Mahama lighted the perpetual flame for the burial service to begin.

The day witnessed arrival of large number of Ghanaians who wanted to be at the Square before 8:00 am. A large number of foreign and local journalists were also ready with their gadgets to give a final coverage to the late President, Professor John Evans Atta Mills.

Some members of the public who could not get access to the Square had to stand at the streets between the Accra Sport Stadium and the Independence Square.

Source: ISD (Constance Takyi and Vida Dzakah)

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