Prof Awoonor wrote funeral arangements

It has been established that the late Professor Kofi Awoonor, one of the world's greatest writers and poet, in preparation for the journey to join his maker wrote down his own funeral arrangement two months before his death.

The family has, thus, announced that they intend to strictly adhere to the wishes of the celebrated poet.

Announcing this at a ceremony to welcome the body of Prof. Awoonor at the Kotoka International Airport on Wednesday, a close relative, Prof. Kofi Anyidoho said prof. Awoonor's writing of his own funeral arrangement before his death was not because he was aware he would embark on a journey to the world beyond.

According to him, "it is rather a coincidence that the prof. died two months after he wrote his death will", adding that, the late prof. was only preparing for the inevitable.

Giving a short history about the late Prof., Professor Anyidoho disclosed that the mark on the fore-head of the late prof. Awoonor was on him at birth and that spiritual enquirers revealed that he was a unique and great man who had reincarnated.

The uniqueness, he said, was portrayed on earth as he made a great mark as an astute writer whose works have been read by leaders all over the world.

Present at the ceremony were representatives from government led by the Chief of Staff, parliamentarians, ministers and members of the bereaved family.

The remains of the late professor arrived at the airport at around 12:35pm Wednesday on board Kenya Airways flight in the escort of his son, Afetsi Awoonor who narrowly escaped death from the bullet wound he sustained at the Westgate Shopping Mall in Nairobi which was attacked by terrorists.

Prof. Awoonor was among the over 60 victims who were confirmed dead by the Kenyan Government.

The funeral rites of the late professor are as follows: The funeral rites of Prof Awoonor would be held on October 3 at his residence.

The ceremony is to be attended by Parliamentarians, the Writers Association, representatives of the government and family members. Attendance, however, is strictly by invitation.

Professor Awoonor's public funeral rite would be held at the State House on October 11, 2013. This will be opened to all. The remains of the late professor would be laid in-state and the final funeral rite and burial would be held at his home town Weta, in the Volta Region on November 9,2013.

According to professor Anyidoho the actual program outline of the funeral would be made known to the public at an appropriate time.