Accra, Oct. 10, GNA - Politicians, lawyers, traditional rulers and people from all walks of life gathered on Friday to bid farewell to Mr. Peter Ala Adjetey, former Speaker of Parliament at a state burial ceremony held in Accra.

President John Kufuor, Vice President Alhaji Aliu Mahama, Speaker of Parliament, Mr Ebenezer Hughes, Chief Justice, Mrs Georgina Wood, flag bearers of the various political parties and top party executives, including former President Jerry John Rawlings took turns to file past the mortal remains of the former speaker before the commencement of the funeral service.

Representatives of traditional rulers from La and other areas including Dagbon, joined in the colourful ceremony, which saw a display of traditional dancing and singing of dirges including a poetry recital by Prof. Atukwei Okai, a famous poet. Rt. Rev. J. K. Dadson of the Anglican Church, in a sermon, said when people died they would be remembered for what they left behind and how they lived.

He praised the former Speaker for living an exemplary life and said some who died as criminals and womanizers, leaving behind children on every street corner received curses and abuses after their death. Rev Dadson said Mr Ala Adjetey was a celebrated legal practitioner, a statesman and an astute politician who did not see the opposition as an enemy.

He said it was interesting that even the NDC had wanted to retain him for another term as Speaker of Parliament. Mr Larry Adjetey, son of the late Speaker, who read the biography, touched on contributions made by his father to the development of the legislature and democracy in general and said the greatest tribute which politicians could pay to the memory of his father was to hold a peaceful election. Mr Joe Ghartey, Minister of Justice, who read a tribute on behalf of government, said the nation was not only mourning but was celebrating a life well lived.

He touched on the various contributions the former Speaker made to the bar and NPP including some landmark cases, the former Speaker handled as a lawyer, and said he had left a legacy for national development.

There were other tributes from the Ghana Bar Association and the NPP Flag Bearer, Nana Addo-Dankwa Akufo-Addo.