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Regional News of Thursday, 23 August 2007

Source: DJ Amess

Thousands Of Mourners Mourns APOR

The former Minister of Tourism and Modernization of the capital city and aspiring presidential candidate of the NPP, Hon. Jake Obetsebi Lamptey and other dignitaries at the weekend joined thousands of mourners from all parts of the country and beyond to give David Afotey Laryea also known as Apor a befitting funeral in Katamansu.

Alhaji Sidiku Buari the President of Musician Union of Ghana and most of the country’s musicians especially the hiplifers and Tony Harmony from Nigeria attended the solemn service at which many mourned the painful death of this young music producer.

Other mourners included, ministers of state, parliamentarians, chiefs, clergy and delegation from the Anehor tribe in Togo.

Before the final funeral rites, there was a massive carnival in memory of Apor by the county’s musicians. Tribute songs composed by some of the artistes, were unveiled in his memory amidst tears and grief. Early on there was a cultural display along side Wulomo Band and Adane Best, who provided real dirge songs to console the bereaved family and the crowd.

As early as 6am a fleet of vehicles had assembled at the 37 Teaching Hospital to convey the body from the mortuary to his hometown. They went through La to Teshie, Nungua, Ashiaman before its final destination as sympathizers rushed to catch glimpse of the convoy of about 41 vehicles.

The hearse had a hectic time driving through the wailing men and women who could still not believe the manner through which the man lost his life.

The body was laid in State the on Friday evening for wake to enable people to pay their respect to him and this continued to the next morning before its interment at the family cemetery.

In a sermon the officiating ministers, Rev. Ben Larsay and Rev. Eben Akrong said in their sermons that the Lord gave peaceful rest to people who died in his name. They said the late David Afotey Laryea proved a true servant of the good Lord in his lifetime and urged all people to be guided by Christ.

The late David Afotey Laryea Otu (alias Apor) was born on Saturday 13th March 1964 to Nii Otu Akwetey IX, the Katamansu Mantse and Madam Elizabeth Afua Laryea both of Katamansu. He was the first male born of his parents. He attended Katamansu local Primary school and Teshie Presbyterian Middle Boarding School where he successfully completed the Standard 7 Middle School Leaving Certificate. He was baptized into the Presbyterian Church and was a staunch member of the Katamansu Presbyterian congregation.

He was a businessman and was involved in many productive ventures like Real Estate Development, Travel and Tours, Football Management (he manages Don Bortey) and was into Music/ Film Production (PRINCE DAVE RECORDS). He was the producer of Castro d’ Destroyer, Bright of Buk Bak fame, Pope Skinny, 4x4 among others.

Apor died at the Trust Hospital Osu on Thursday 5th July after a short illness. He was 43 and left behind two wives Evelyn and Joyce and 5 children