The mood in Kumasi, Ghana’s second largest city is that of resignation, sombreness and pain, as activities marking the funeral of the late President John Evans Atta Mills progress.

The dominant colours are black and red, with badges and miniature portraits of the late President affixed to the clothes of many of the people.

The clogging of the roads, usual with the early morning rush hours was completely absent and the streets appeared eerily quiet.

A significant number of private and commercial cars were also seen decorated with red, signifying that they are mourning the late leader. Although not a public holiday, there are not much activities going on in most of the offices.

The workers were seen glued to television sets, determined to follow every minute detail of the state funeral at the State House in Accra.

At the Adum Central Business Area, Kejetia Lorry Terminal and the Central Market, the heartbeat of the metropolis, the air was filled with deeply touching aged-old mourning tunes.

Madam Akosua Agyeiwaa, 58, a petty trader, said it was her prayer that God would give the late President eternal rest.

Meanwhile, the Ashanti Regional Coordinating Council, in conjunction with the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly, would be holding a vigil with a bonfire at the Jubilee Park later in the evening.

Giant screens would also be erected from where the people would watch funeral events taking place in the capital, Accra.**