The Anlo State will be commemorating the passing of its illustrious son, Flt. Lt. Jeremiah John Rawlings on Friday the 12th as the first of a series of activities meant to culminate into the reburial of the former President on Anlo land.
“…This commemorative event marks the first in a series of manifestations by the chiefs and people of the Anlo State which will eventually result of the reburial of our son and icon on Anlo land in due course,” read the statement signed by Togbi Agbesi Awusi ll.
Former President Rawlings who had died mysteriously was buried at the Burma Camp Military cemetery, much much to the anger of the Anlo traditional area who protested that he should have been given a traditional burial because he was a chief in the area.
The decision to bury Rawlings against the wish of the Anlo people was part of what has been seen as a series of acts of disrespect that the Akufo-Addo government and Mr. Rawlings’ wife, Nana Konadu Agyemang Rawlings, had shown towards the Anlo state after his death.
Indeed, the funeral rites of the former President had been performed by the government and the family almost to the neglect of the Anlo royalty.
Obviously, the Anlo state has not been enthused about the disrespect and has vowed to rebury the former President on Anlo land in the future.
According to the statement from the Awadada’s office, this first commemoration of Rawlings’ passing will be held under the joint auspices of the Anlo state and his party, the National Democratic Congress, an indication that a future NDC government will very likely be requested to exhume and deliver Rawlings’ body for burial among his own people.
The event is scheduled to come off at the Hogbe Park at Anloga, capital of Anloland.
“The chiefs and people of the Anlo State, the Ewe Dukor and members of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) as well as all patriotic Ghanaians, under the distinguished auspices of the Anlo Traditional Council, will hold a special commemorative durbar on Friday, 12th of November 2021 to mark one-year commemoration of the rather sudden and painful death of our very illustrious son, our celebrated Nutifafa Fiaga l, the first President of our 4th Republic and Founder of the National Democratic Congress, His Excellency Flt. Lt. Jerry John Rawlings,” the statement said.