The Anlo Traditional Council has said it is outraged by a statement issued on Monday, 30 November 2020, signed by Mr James Victor Gbeho, which announced that the late former President Jerry John Rawlings, would be buried on 23 December 2020.
The announcement said: “The family of His Excellency Jerry John Rawlings has, in consultation with the government, agreed that the date for the State funeral of the former President is confirmed for Wednesday, 23 December 2020 at the Independence Square in Accra”.
“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.
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 tributes@jjrawlingsmemorial.org”.
However, the Anlo traditional council said in a counter-statement that it “wishes to express, in its strongest possible terms, its total outrage for the disrespect shown to the culture, traditions, mores and usages of our practices in the release of the so-called press statement”.
“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”.
Read the full press statement below:
PRESS STATEMENT
The attention of the Anlo Traditional Council has been drawn to a purported press statement announcing the details of the funeral of H. E. J.J. Rawlings in consultation with the Government.
The Anlo Traditional Council
It needs to be brought to the attention of the public that the traditional council had brought to the attention of the immediate family, its concerns on how to proceed with the funeral arrangements and was to have met them for final input into the funeral arrangement.
The statement, as released, is a total affront to the Anlo custom, traditions, usage and mores of our people and we call on those behind this to take urgent remedial steps to enable us accord our dear departed a dignified sent off.
The Anlo Traditional Council reserves the right to take steps to ensure that this error is remedied appropriately.
We take this opportunity to inform H. E. Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, who we know is a royal, to ensure that the right procedures are adhered to.