Mourners participate at periphery of Independence Square

Hundreds of mourners who thronged the independence square to pay their last respects to President John Evans Atta Mills were not allowed because they did not have accreditation.

However, they were not frustrated as most of them decided to sing and dance to music provided at the periphery of the square.


Some of them also took advantage to join long queues to collect products from the Unilever Ghana limited being distributed for free.


Mrs. Esi Annan, a public servant who travelled from Agona Swedru in the Central Region to pay her last respects to the late President, told GNA that: "I must at least send something home to let them know that I went to the late President's funeral."


However, she expressed disappointment that a lot of the mourners were restricted to the periphery.

Mr. Kwadwo Adjei, who travelled from Koforidua to witness the service, had to take solace in dancing to music behind the square.


"Our father is dead and it is disappointing that we are not allowed in the square to mourn with the family and all Ghanaians,” he said.


Reacting to their concerns, ASP Samuel Azugu, told the GNA that it was not possible to allow everyone into the square and the security personnel were only allowing accredited members of the public to avoid chaos and anarchy in the square.


"My brother it is known that this is the funeral of a President, therefore, not every ordinary person can be allowed to the square."**