UE residents weeps on Day 1 of National mourning

Story: Benjamin Xornam Glover, Bolgatanga With a deep clouds looming overhead for most part of Wednesday, people in the Bolgatanga, the Upper East Regional capital, followed proceedings on television sets as the final journey of the late President to the ancestral world commenced. Activities in the municipality were generally low key. While some shops remain open a few others remain closed. The general atmosphere was dull as a result of clouds that loomed over the municipality right from the dawn on Wednesday. In the absence of an official designated viewing centre, mourners were glued to their private TV sets in their shops, offices and homes to follow the funeral proceedings from the national capital, Accra. Michael Ayine, whose eyes was filled with tears as the cortege of the late President arrived at the State House said never again will Ghana have such a President. “He was extremely calm and entertained all forms of criticism make against his person to the extent that he never got the chance to finish his first term in office”. Another mourner, Robert Adongo opined that Ghanaians have a lot to learn from the leadership style of the late President. Najat Mohammed, another mourner said the late President devoted his life to the service of mother Ghana and this should serve as an example to all Ghanaians to commit themselves to hard work and dedication. Meanwhile, there appears to be inadequate supply of the official funeral cloth in the Bolgatanga municipality. A section of the sympathisers told the Daily Graphic that they have found it difficult to come across the various design on sale in other parts of the country. A tour of the commercial street and parts of the market revealed that the only design avaioble was “Asomdwe Hene” which was selling at GH c 10 per yard. However the traders gave the assurance that supply will be increased to ensure that mourners desirous of buying the cloth can do so. In a related development, the Regional Coordinating Council has planned a vigil at the Jubilee Park at 7 pm on Wednesday to give the people in the region an opportunity to pay their last respect to the late President. The Public Relations Officer of the RCC, Mr. Peter Atogewe Wedam,told the Daily Graphic that in attendance will be the Regional Police Band, selected choirs from churches in the Bolgatanga Municipality to sings dirges as the region mourns the late president. According to him, the programme will be interspersed with tributes from various individuals and groups. -End-