Vice President attend funeral of late Omanhene of Sekondi

Sekondi, October 11, GNA- The final funeral rites of the late Omanhene of the Sekondi Traditional Area, Nana Ewuah Duku II, who died at Sekondi on May 17, 2003, was held at a solemn ceremony in Sekondi on Saturday.

Known in private life as Joseph Victor Plange, Nana Duku was born on August 19, 1923 at Sekondi and enstooled Omanhene of Sekondi Traditional Area in July 1972 after his retirement from the military in November 1946. He reigned for 31 years.

Nana Duku left behind a widow, 10 children and 18 grandchildren. The ceremony was attended by a large number of mourners including, Vice President Alhaji Aliu Mahama, Papa Owusu-Ankomah, Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, who is also the Member of Parliament for Sekondi, Western Regional Minister, Mr Joseph Boahen Aidoo, Ministers and Parliamentarians, who filed past the mortal remains of Nana Duku at the palace.

Among those who paid their last respect were paramount chiefs from the Western Region, representatives of Oguaa and Elmina Traditional Areas, divisional chiefs and Queenmothers.

In a tribute, Alhaji Mahama, described Nana Duku as a simple, peaceful and development-oriented chief.

He said the late Omanhene served the people of Sekondi Traditional Area, Western Region and the country very well adding that his death is a big loss not only to people of Sekondi but the Region and the country in general.

Alhaji Mahama hoped the peace and unity Nana Duku maintained during his reign would be sustained to ensure that the development of Sekondi he fought for is achieved.

Papa Owusu-Ankomah described Nana Duku as a symbol of peace, unity and development and asked the kingmakers to ensure that Nana's replacement is chosen peacefully.

He said by his death, the people of Sekondi have lost a father, a counsellor and a star of hope. "You should ensure that the peace and unity that prevailed during Nana's reign would be sustained", he said. Mr Joseph Aidoo said Nana Duku believed in implementation of development projects that would facelift the region and the meaningful exploitation of resources of the region.

Other tributes came from the Western Regional House of Chiefs, Sekondi Traditional Council his wife and children.

Vice-President Alhaji Aliu Mahama, later on behalf of the government presented one carton of schnapps, two cartons of beer, two cartons of guinness stout, two crates of minerals and seven million cedis cash to the bereaved family and the traditional council. 11 Oct 03