The Anlo Traditional Council has expressed its displeasure in the family of the late President Jerry John Rawling, for not involving the council in the funeral arrangements of the late President.
According to the council, the arrangements are not in accordance with the customs and traditions of the Anlo people, and as such, feels disrespected.
“The statement as released is a total upfront 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,” it said in a 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.”
The Council later called on President Akufo-Addo to “ensure that the right procedures are adhered to.”
The Council however noted that, if nothing is done about the situation, it will do the necessary.
“The Anlo Traditional Council reserves the right to take steps to ensure that this error is remedied appropriately,” it added.
The government has scheduled the state funeral for former President Rawlings for Wednesday, December 23, 2020, at the Independence Square in Accra.
In a statement signed by the Head of Funeral Planning Committee, Ambassador James Victor Gbeho, indicated that, the late president’s family is collaborating with the state on the funeral arrangements.
The late Former President Rawlings died on November 12 this year, at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital after a short illness aged 73.
Find below the full statement
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 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 delt with in accordance with customs and traditions of Anlo.
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 upfront 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 Danquah Akuffo who we know is a royal to ensure that the right procedures are adhered to.
Read Also:
