Rawlings attends funeral of Anfoega Chief

Anfoega (Volta Region) 16 Nov. 1998 President Jerry John Rawlings joined sons and daughters of Anfoega Traditional Area to hold a grand funeral for their Paramount Chief, Togbe Tepre Hodo the Third, last Saturday. The Vice-President, Professor John Evans Atta Mills and his wife Naadu were also at the funeral as well as dignitaries from various parts of the country and delegations from other traditional areas to pay their last respect to Togbe Hodo who reigned for 46 years. The 73-year old chief died last March and as his body laid in state adorned with gold ornaments, hundreds of people filed past and after President Rawlings and Prof. Mills had their turn, a burial service was held at a school park. The top clergy of the Volta Region Catholic and Evangelical Presbyterian Churches took turns to say prayers for the departed chief. The Very Rev Francis Lodonu, Bishop of the Ho Keta Diocese preached the sermon. Tributes followed, all extolling the virtues of Togbe Hodo, who was a recipient of the Grand Medal and served on several regional and national bodies. President rawlings said the late chief "adjudicated on and in some cases facilitated the resolution of 31 chieftaincy disputes throughout the country: " Togbe Hodo rendered good service to his people. 'He has done so much for his people,'' President Rawling said in his tribute. Therefore, the President called for calm when the time comes for his successor to be nominated and pledged his support for Prof Mills