Battle over burial place for Rawlings

While the nation mourns the loss of the first President of the Fourth Republic, Flt Lt. Jerry John Rawlings, the place for his burial is also becoming a concern.

Whereas the state has a designated cemetery for former Presidents, called the ‘Asomdwe Park,’ the family of Mr Rawlings wants the mortal remains of their beloved son buried at Dzelukope, near Keta, in the Volta Region, his hometown.

Spokesperson for the Agbotui, Nyaho Husunu and Allied family members, Paul Badu, has told the media in Keta that the wishes of the former President would have been fulfilled if he was buried in his hometown.

As though that was not convincing enough, the flagbearer of the Ghana Union Movement (GUM), Christian Kwabena Andrews, also known as ‘Osofo Kyiri Abosom’, has supported the call.

Christian Kwabena Andrews claims Mr Rawlings told him personally that he does not want to be  buried at Asomdwe Park, should he (Andrews) become president of the Republic at the time of his (Rawlings) death.

He told the press after he had visited the family of Mr Rawlings to console them over the loss of the man he described as very caring, citing his introduction of the ‘control price’ policy during the revolution era.

The day I came here before his demise, he told me something and that is what I would want the President to hear. When I came to him, he told me that he was praying that I should win and that if I win and he dies, I should make sure he is not buried at the presidential mausoleum.

He wants a different place. I will inform the wife and the video is there so you can also get it to watch. So, if I were the President today and I had to bury him today, I would have given him a befitting burial at his hometown so he could rest in peace,” he said in twi.

Meanwhile, the President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has said the government will give a befitting burial to the late former President Jerry John Rawlings. He said this in a statement to commiserate with the family of Mr. Rawlings.

“Government will work closely with the family of President Rawlings on the arrangements for a fitting State Funeral for the late President and will keep the nation informed accordingly,” he said in the statement.

All state funerals have been held at either the Accra International Conference Centre (AICC) or the State House, which are just opposite each other on the Osu Cemetry Road, Accra.

After the state funeral, some of the bodies are either buried in Accra or taken elsewhere or to their hometown.

On the background of the above, it is expected that the funeral of the late Rawlings would be held at the State House, but the burial, with the government respecting the family’s wish, would be in Keta.

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