The final funeral rites of the late former President Jerry John Rawlings have finally begun. On Sunday, January 24, 2021, the family and other political leaders met at the Holy Spirit Cathedral in Accra to hold a mass in his name.
On Monday, January 24, 2021, the remains of the late former President will be laid in state for well-wishers to have a final look at his body.
The venue is the Accra International Conference Center. Preparations at the venue are far advanced since pictures of the former President have been posted all over the place for public viewing.
The venue is decorated with the official colors of Ghana (Red, Gold, and Green). The particular location where the body of the late Jerry John Rawlings will be laid has been decorated with white and red colors.
It is expected that other leaders from around the world will travel into the country to pay their last respect to the late Jerry John Rawlings.
However, due to the surge in coronavirus cases, arrangements have been made for a majority of mourners to join the ceremony from their homes through television.
The ceremony will be held for two days before burial takes place. A short statement posted on the official Facebook page of the Ministry of Information states that:
Activities for the burial rights of Former President Rawlings have commenced. On Monday and Tuesday, he will be laid in state at the Accra International Conference Center.
Many TV stations will be covering it live. So you can, especially in these coronavirus times, participate virtually by watching from home”.
The late Jerry John Rawlings was born on June 22, 1947. He was the first President of the fourth republic of Ghana.
He died after a short illness on November 12, 2020. He left behind a wife (Nana Konadu Agyamang Rawlings) and four children. May the soul of Jerry John Rawlings rest in peace.
