Joint government/Limann family funeral committee meets

A joint government-family committee on the funeral of Ex-President Hilla Limann has met in Accra to discuss arrangements for the burial ceremony. At the meeting, which took place at the State House, representatives of the bereaved family, led by Colonel G.C. Bayorbor, signed a memorandum of agreement with the government team on the funeral programme. Other members of the committee representing the bereaved family were Dr Baba Limann, Mr. Moses Dani Baah, and Lieutenant-Colonel E. Kwame. Based on the agreement reached at the meeting, the State Protocol has been mandated by government to provide canopies, chairs and a catafalque at the Independence Square where the late ex-president's body will be laid in state. The same facilities are to be provided at other funeral grounds where the body will be laid in State. State Protocol will also assist in formalizing the funeral service programme at the Independence Square. It has also been agreed that the Ghana airforce should standby to fly the body to its final resting-place should the option become necessary. The memorandum states government's decision to have flags fly at half-mast throughout the country from Wednesday, February 25, to Saturday, February 28. A book of condolence will be opened at the State House in Accra during the period. Similar ones will be opened at Ghana's missions abroad. The government team reiterated its position that it will respect the wishes of the family regarding the funeral arrangements for Dr Limann but gave the assurance that government will play its role in ensuring that the ex-president gets a fitting burial. By the agreement, the family will take responsibility for invitation, publicity, transport and funeral at proposed stops. In its funeral programme released last week, the family proposed that the funeral cortege of President Limann be taken by road to Gwollu in the Upper West region for burial, stopping over at the various regional capitals through which it will pass. This aspect of the programme, however, generated mixed feelings among the public with some sympathizers wondering how feasible it is regarding the state of the body and the distance to be covered. Meanwhile, sources close to the bereaved family said at the weekend that discussions were still going on for a possible change in the programme.