The funeral and state burial ceremony for former Vice President Papa Kwesi Bekoe Amissah-Arthur will begin Thursday morning at the foyer of the Accra International Conference Centre (AICC) where his body will be laid in state.
Between 0800 hours to 1800 hours, mourners will file past his body to pay their last respects. The family of the late Vice President have warned against the use of cameras during this stage of the ceremony.
On Friday, July 27, a burial service will be held in the auditorium of the AICC between 0900 hours and midday. Additional seating would be available at the forecourt of State House and the service would be streamed live.
The funeral cortege would then go through some principal streets of Accra after the burial service before his mortal remains are buried at the Military Cemetery, Burma Camp.
Final funeral rites and reception would be at the forecourt of State House from 1400 on Saturday, July 28.
The interment for Mr. Amissah-Arthur will, however, be by special invitation.
A thanksgiving service is expected to be held on Sunday, July 29 at the Calvary Methodist Church in Accra.
Police have, meanwhile, announced that some roads around the Osu Cemetery and its environs will be closed temporarily for the funeral and burial ceremony.
According to the Accra Regional Police Command, affected roads are the Osu Cemetery Traffic Light, on the Lokko Street and the Castle road, from the AU Circle to Osu Cemetery Traffic Light.
The road will remain closed from Thursday, July 26 to Friday, 27 July 2018, and unmarked vehicles will not be permitted to park or drive through those routes.
Motorists from the Lokko Street towards the Castle road are advised to consider using the Ajumaku and Oxford Streets.
Likewise, traffic from the AU Circle towards the Castle road shall be diverted unto the Abdul Diouf and King Hassan roads.
Gentle soul
Mr. Amissah-Arthur died on June 29, 2018, at the 37 Military Hospital after reportedly collapsing at the Air Force Gym during his routine morning workout session.
Known for his calm and gentle disposition, the former Bank of Ghana Governor served in the PNDC administration and later Vice President in the John Mahama administration. His unfortunate passing last month, sent shockwaves around the country, with many extolling his meek virtues.
FLASHBACK: Swearing in of the late former Vice President, Amissah-Arthur.
Tributes
When news of his death broke, notable statesmen took to various social media platforms to pay tributes.
President Akufo-Addo
Chief among them was President Akufo-Addo, who expressed shock at the passing of Mr Amissah-Arthur.
He expressed his heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family.
President Akufo-Addo, in a Facebook post said, “I have learnt with shock and great sadness the sudden death of the former Vice President of the Republic, His Excellency Paa Kwesi Amissah-Arthur. He has been a longstanding public servant, who discharged his duties with dignity. Ghana has lost a fine public servant.
“The news of his death is unfortunate since he appeared to have a lot to contribute to the public life of our country. My thoughts and sympathies are with his wife, children and family. I extend my deepest condolences to them, and also to the former President of the Republic, His Excellency John Dramani Mahama, and to the National Democratic Congress (NDC) of which the former Vice President was a prominent member. May his soul rest in perfect peace.
Bawumia
Moments later, Dr Bawumia also posted on his Facebook wall, “I received with shock and sadness the sudden death of my predecessor, His Excellency Paa Kwesi Bekoe Amissah-Arthur, former Vice President of the Republic. He dutifully served our nation in the high offices of Governor of the Bank of Ghana and Vice President of the Republic. He was always civil and can be described as a first class gentleman. My condolences to his family, wife, children, the NDC fraternity and the entire nation. May his gentle soul rest in peace.”
Dr Bawumia later travelled to the former Vice President’s residence at North Ridge to console the widow and other relations.
The governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) and opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), which Mr Amissah Arthur was affiliated to, have since expressed condolences to the bereaved family.
Kufuor
Former President John Agyekum Kufuor, in a statement, said, “Mr. Amissah-Arthur was a very dutiful servant to our country who served his nation well and in multiple endeavours.”
According to Mr. Kufuor, “His passing is a deep loss to our nation and to his family. I mourn with the country and the family he has left behind.”
Mahama
Former President John Mahama also expressed sadness at the untimely death of his former vice, saying “I learnt about the untimely demise of my brother and friend, Vice President Paa Kwesi Bekoe Amissah-Arthur with shock and deep sorrow.”
“He was an admirable personality both in Ghana and the NDC because he served with distinction in the many roles he played in the development of our country.”
Rawlings
Former President Jerry John Rawlings, who first appointed the late Amissah-Arthur, in a tweet, said that “this has come as a shock. Paa Kwesi @KBAmissahArthur was a consummate professional, who performed his duties with dignity and humility. My sincere condolences to his family. Fare thee well, Sir.”
