Ghana to bury ex-President Mills

DHAKA: The funeral of Ghanaian President John Atta Mills, who died suddenly in July, is to be held in the capital Accra.

Thousands of Ghanaians are expected to attend, as well as some 18 African heads of state and visiting US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.

Mills, who had long suffered from throat cancer, died only five months before he was set to seek re-election.

The BBC`s Vera Kwakofi in Accra says his death united Ghanaians in grief, and many are still in shock.

She says his death was seen as a test for the country`s young democracy.

Mills, who started a four-year term in January 2009, was succeeded by Vice-President John Dramani Mahama.

Ghana has won international plaudits for the swift manner in which it handled the transition.

Mills is to be buried in a bird sanctuary next to the seat of government, the 17th-century Fort Christiansborg, also known as Osu Castle, which overlooks the Atlantic Ocean.

Source: BBC

BDST: 1315 HRS, AUG 10, 2012
SA