The much awaited final funeral rites of the late Poet and former Chairman of the Council of State, Professor Kofi Nyidevu Awoonor, ended last Saturday with a mixture of mourning and celebration.
Unlike other funerals of heroes and commoners of the country, Professor Awoonor�s final funeral rite was without a single speech.
Not even the President of Ghana or other family members had the opportunity to speak, except Professor Kofi Anyidoho who expressed gratitude to the entire nation, the President and all others for their support and presence at the occasion.
Those who gathered at the grounds, thus, Wheta EP Basic School Park in the Ketu North District of the Volta Region, were either observers or a dance or cultural troop.
Professor Awoonor was shot and killed in a terrorist attack at the Westgate Mall in the Kenyan capital, Nairobi on September 21. His son, Afetsi Awoonor who was with him survived narrowly after being shot in the back. The mortal remains were cremated at the Lashibi Funeral Home in Accra on the wishes of the late poet, novelist, diplomat, politician and traditionalist. The final funeral rite in Wheta, his hometown was held by the family to bid their final farewell.They were joined by President John Mahama, diplomats, academia, Members of Parliament, government officials as well as the chiefs and people of Wheta to pay their last respects to the late poet.
Also in attendance were ministers of state, politicians, writers, traditional rulers and some members of the Diplomatic Corps.
The funeral was marked with libation and traditional drumming and dancing amidst singing of dirges. Most of these performances were drawn from all parts of the country.
According to some people who spoke to DAILY GUIDE, the funeral was an occasion that showcased the rich and diverse culture of Ghana.
Apart from engaging in politics, the late Awoonor was also an assistant secretary of the Ghana Academy of Science, lecturer at the School of Administration, a research fellow, managing director, Ghana Film Industry Corporation and chair of Comparative Literature Programme.
He was also head of the English Department of the University of Cape Coast and later became dean of the same department.
Later, the late Professor was made Ghana�s Ambassador to Brazil between the 1980s and early 1990s, with concurrent accreditations to Surinam, Argentina, Venezuela, Uruguay and Guyana. He also served in Cuba, with concurrent accreditations to Nicaragua, Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago.
He was also Ambassador and permanent representative to the United States of America and later a Minister of State. Before his death, the late professor had just completed his four-year term as the Chairman of the Council of State.
<<Print>>