Presidential Press Corps commiserates with First Lady Mills

Members of Ghana's Presidential Press Corps (PPC), on Monday visited the former First Lady, Naadu Mills, to express their condolences on the death of President John Evans Atta Mills, who passed away suddenly last week.

Wearing mourning clothes with red arm bands, the Corps arrived at the East Airport residence of the former First Family, off the Spintex Road in Accra, where other mourners had thronged to commiserate with Mrs. Naadu Mills.

The Corps, on arrival met a number of high profile personalities gathered under erected canopies, waiting to exchange greetings with the former First Lady.

They included the leadership of the Convention People's Party (CPP), made up of its Chairperson, Madam Samia Nkrumah, flag bearer, Dr. Abu Sakara and Mr. Ivor Greenstreet, General Secretary of the Party.

There were also ministers of state, top civil servants, state officials, traditional chiefs and elders, as well as members of some identifiable professional bodies, such as the Ghana Registered Nurses and Midwives Associations, who were all there to share condolences with the former First Lady.

The picture of the late President, together with a book of condolence had been placed on different tables in a corridor where the former First Lady and top party officials were sitting to receive the visitors.

Mr. Seth Kojo Eyiah, Interim Leader of the Corps, and a Journalist with Radio Ghana, led his colleagues to greet the former First Lady, during which they expressed their deep sadness on the loss of the President and extended words of comfort to her.

Sitting close to the former First Lady were Dr. Kwesi Botchwey, former Minister of Finance and Economic Planning, Mr. Ato Ahwoi, a leading figure within the ruling National Democratic Congress and Dr George Sipa Yankey, Chief Executive of the National Gas Company.

After the journalists had greeted the former First Lady, and those with her, Mr. Eyiah wrote in the Book of Condolence: "The Current Generation and Posterity will remember you for your selflessness, patriotism and the smiles you brought into the lives of millions of Ghanaians."

Meanwhile, a State Funeral of the late President is scheduled to take place in Accra from Wednesday, August 8, 2012 to Friday August 10, 2012.

The funeral service and burial will take place on Friday, August 10, 2012, according to a statement signed by the Chief of Staff, Mr. J.H.M. Newman and released by the office of the President.

It said the period of national mourning and lowering of national flags had been extended until the end of the funeral.

The statement said all public buildings were expected to be draped in red and black and flags fly at half mast, to signify the national mourning.

The families and widow of the late President have however announced that there would be no public celebration of the seventh day of his passing on Tuesday.

In a statement signed by the Abusuapanyin Nkuma-Nyerba Twidan, Abusua of Cape Coast on behalf of the Mills and allied families of Cape Coast, Ekumfi and Accra, read: “The Mills and allied families of Cape Coast, Ekumfi and Accra and Dr. Ernestina Naadu Mills, widow, wish to express gratitude to all those mourning with the family and widow over the passing away of their beloved son and husband, Professor John Evans Atta Mills.

“In accordance with Fante tradition and custom, there will be a private solemn observation to mark the 7th day of the home call of our beloved son and husband, Prof. John Evans Atta Mills at the family residence on Tuesday, July 30, 2012. There will be no public celebration of the day at the family residence.”

In honor of the late President, the Government has directed an observance of a minute’s silence on Tuesday, 31st July, 2012 at 1415 hours.

The day and time marks one week and the exact time that President Atta Mills passed away.

A statement signed by a Deputy Information Minister James Agyanim Boateng on Monday said, wherever people find themselves throughout Ghana at 14:15 hours on Tuesday, 31st July, 2012; they are to observe a minute’s silence as directed.

The statement also called on Ghanaians to say a prayer afterwards for the soul of President Atta Mills, who worked selflessly towards bettering the lives of Ghanaians.

Government further urged the electronic media to also observe the minute silence.

The Funeral Planning Committee has said Regional Ministers, Metropolitan and District Chief Executives would in collaboration with Party Executives make arrangements for the observance of the one week of mourning.

The Government has extended the period of national mourning until after the burial of the late President on August 10.**