Ghanaians Will Get The Opportunity To File Past Kofi Annan’s Remains On September 11 At The AICC

The remains of the former UN Secretary-General Kofi Annam will arrive in Accra from Switzerland on Monday for a three-day state memorial service ahead of “a simple, private burial” at the new military cemetery in Accra.

Mr. Annan was said to have requested for a simple private ceremony in his last wishes to his family, which the government say it will oblige as it gives him a befitting state burial.

Mr. Annan who served two terms as the UN chief died Saturday, August 17, 2018 in a hospital at Bern, Switzerland, after a short illness.


The casket carrying his remains will touch down at the Kotoka International Airport at exactly 4:00 pm Monday.

President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo will receive the remains, which will be accompanied by Mr. Annan’s wife, children and some UN officials, Information Minister designate Kojo Oppong Nkrumah announced at a news conference Wednesday.

A brief ceremony will be held at the Airport by the Ghana Armed Forces to receive the body on Monday after which it will be taken to the Accra International Conference Centre.

The general public will on Tuesday, September 11 have the opportunity between the hours of 10:00 am and 4:00 pm to file past the body to pay their last respect to the statesman whose death shocked the world.

Dignitaries including recognised groups, chiefs Members of Parliament and Ministers of State will have their turn to pay their last respect to the illustrious international diplomat on Wednesday.

A solemn burial service will be held on Thursday at the Accra International Conference Centre.

Several Heads of State, UN officials and diplomatic delegations will join the family for the burial service, Mr. Oppon Nkrumah told journalists Wednesday.

He said the service would be followed by “a private burial at midday at the new military cemetery with full military honours and a 17 gun salute.

“Mr. Annan’s personal testament requested for a simple, solemn final set of activities…and the state, while it wish to give him a befitting burial, will accommodate his wishes as well,” he added.

The Minister said the arrangements were reached after consultations between the family of the late UN chief and the nine-member committee put together by the government to plan and organise the funeral.

Source: 3news