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Mr Annan A. Cato, former Secretary to Cabinet and Chair of the Committee organizing the state burial of the late Kofi Annan, says the former UN Secretary General will be given a decent but subdued farewell, in line with his wishes.

He said the state mourning of the late diplomat would capture the letter and spirit of what he wanted.

Giving an update on the funeral arrangement at the end of the Remembrance Service held in honour of the late Kofi Annan by the University of Ghana, Mr Cato said the Committee had made every arrangement in consultation with the family of Mr Annan.

“We are grateful that we’ve done so with the approval of the family. We will give Mr. Kofi Annan a very decent but subdued farewell,” he said.

Mr Cato noted that in keeping with the stature of the late Mr Annan, whose reach was everywhere, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akuffo Addo had invited several dignitaries from the Dispora to mourn with Ghana.

“Responses have been coming in and I can say to you that almost all ECOWAS leaders will be here,” he said, adding that the representation that will come went beyond Africa.

Outlining the programme for the state funeral, he said arrangements had begun for the remains of Mr Annan to be brought to Ghana and will be met on arrival on Monday September 10, 2018 by the President and a team.

On Tuesday 11th September, between 1000hours and 1600 hours, the Ghanaian public will be given the opportunity to pay their last respects to the respected diplomat, while state dignitaries will have the chance to do so on Wednesday September 12.

The highlight of Wednesday, he said, would be a delegation from the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, who would perform the appropriate rituals befitting the late Mr Annan’s status as Busumuru.

The Akwamufie, where Mr Annan is from, will also be given the opportunity to pay their respects, he said.

The burial service will be held on Thursday 13th September, from 9000 hours to 1100 hours, followed by a private burial at the Military Cemetery in Accra.

“In essence, that will bring to a close the state mourning and commemoration of Mr. Annan,” Mr Cato said, and commended the University of Ghana for organising the Remembrance Service.

“Everything that has happened here is appropriate, Kofi has earned all the commemorations given to him today.”