Kofi Annan To Buried In Ghana
The Publisher newspaper has gathered that the late United Nations (UN) Secretary-General, Mr. Kofi Annan, would be laid to rest in his home country, Ghana.
In a statement released to the media yesterday, the family of the deceased diplomat said, the government of Ghana would in no time announce the arrangements of a State ceremony, which will take place in Accra.
“The dates of those events will be announced in due course,” the statement added.
Following the death of Mr. Annan, government began engagements with the immediate family to explore ways to give the illustrious son of the land a befitting final burial.
A large faction of the public had also made a clarion call for the UN Secretary to be given a state burial.
Some had argued that burying him elsewhere, would deny Ghanaians the chance to pay their last respect to an important Ghanaian personality.
Others had also said, that if buried in Ghana, Kofi Annan’s burial place would serve as an important memorial, which will in turn boost Ghana’s tourism.
But following his global interest, Ghanaians were not sure whether or not the body of the deceased would be returned to his home country.
Though it’s now clear where he would be buried, the Annan family indicated that the United Nations will hold memorial “events in New York and Geneva” for its former secretary general prior to the ceremony in Ghana.
Meanwhile, Manhyia Palace is preparing to give a special traditional burial and funeral rites in line with the highest traditional title, Busumuru bestowed on the Ghanaian diplomat by the Asante Kingdom.
According to a historian of Manhyia Palace, Osei Bonsu Sarfo Kantanka, the late Annan ought to be given a royal burial since he is the first and only person in the Asante Kingdom to have held that title.
Busumuru is the name of the golden sacred sword, the highest sword of office used by the Asantehene to swear allegiance to the Asante Kingdom. The sword can only be held by its custodian and the Asante King.
Mr. Annan passed on Saturday, August 18 in Switzerland after a short illness. He has been mourned by politicians, athletes, entertainers and a whole host of others.
By Grace Ablewor Sogbey
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