Lawra Traditional Council grateful to President

Accra, Feb. 15, GNA - A delegation of chiefs from the Lawra Traditional Council and the family of the late Paramount Chief of the Area, Naa Abeifaa Karbo on Wednesday expressed their gratitude to President John Agyekum Kufuor for the Government's support during the chief's funeral.

Naa Karbo, who was a Member of the Council of State, died on December, 11, 2004, and was given a State burial. Vice President Aliu Mahama led a high-powered delegation to attend the burial held on January 18, 2005.

Mr Edward Puowele Karbo, Spokesperson of the delegation, which called at the Castle, Osu, said they were grateful for the honour and recognition extended to their Paramount Chief as well as the material and financial donations they received towards his funeral.

He informed President Kufuor that in their traditional area, customary funeral for their overlord spread over a period of one year and involved the performance of some pacification and purification rites.

The last of these rites, he said, was the celebration of his life which had been slated for March 15 to March 19 this year. Mr Karbo on behalf of the Council invited President Kufuor to join them in the final funeral celebration.

President Kufuor said the death of Naa Karbo, whom he described as a statesman, was a big blow and that the Government was also mourning with them in accordance with the revered tradition of the area. He advised that they should do everything possible to facilitate a peaceful enskinment of his successor.

He said choosing a worthy successor was the greatest tribute they could pay to Naa Karbo and to show to the world that they cherished what he did for Ghana and humanity.

Mr Ambrose Dery, the Upper West Regional Minister, accompanied the delegation, which included Pastor Charles Terle Karbo, the Regent.