Disregard Dec. 23 funeral date for Rawlings – Agbotui Family

The family of former President Jerry John Rawlings has dismissed reports of the funeral date of the country’s longest-serving head of state.

The head of the funeral planning committee, James Victor Gbeho, stated that the family in consultation with the government has agreed on December 23, for the funeral rite of the former president, who died on November 12, 2020.

However, a statement issued by the Secretary to the Agbotui family on Wednesday, said, the statement on Monday announcing the date of the late Rawlings’ funeral should be disregarded.

Napoleon Kwame Agbotui indicated that the said consultation with the family never took place.

“We wish to inform the general public that no such consultation has taken place, and as such the former press release confirming the date of his [J.J Rawlings] funeral should be disregarded.”

He added that the family and the Chiefs of Anlo state are yet to schedule a date for the final funeral rites of the former statesman.

“Information to the new date and details of the funeral arrangements of the late President will be conveyed after a thorough and broad consultation with the Families, the government, and The Anlo State to give him a befitting burial.

Mr Agbotui appealed to the office of the President to ensure that the customs of Anlo and the right procedures are duly respected during the burial of Rawlings.

He explained that Rawlings was not only a former President of Ghana but a Chief of Anlo under the title of Torgbi Nutifafa I.