[ 2013-12-05 ]

Traditional Council threatens to stop state funeral of late Harry Sawyer
The Akwamu Traditional Council has given family of
the late Harry Sawyer up to the end of this week
to amend the funeral programme or face disruption
of the funeral slated for December 21, this year.

According to the council, the late Harry Sawyer,
known to them as Barima Akoto Djan III, was a
royal of the Akwamu traditional family but were
not consulted in the preparation for the funeral.

This morning, a delegation from Akwamu stormed the
residence of the late Harry Sawyer to lodge a
protest that they are being sidelined.

Speaking to JOY NEWS after their meeting with
Harry Sawyer’s family, Nana Yaw Buadu IV,
Kyidomhene and Acting President of the Akwamu
Traditional Council noted "we are not happy
because we are part of the family. Barima Akoto
Adjan III is an Akwamu. He is the Otublohum
Akwamuhene. During the 50th anniversary of Odinuho
Kwafo Akoto II, he was elevated to the status of
Barima Akoto Djan".

The Kyidomhene further indicated that by their
custom, the late Harry Sawyer is the Akwamu
representative in Otublohum and should therefore
be contacted in arranging for his burial if he is
dead.

Nana Yaw Buadu IV also noted that since the family
failed to contact the Akwamu in drawing up the
burial arrangement of their kinsman, they went to
the residence to express their grievance and anger
towards "the way they are handling the burial of
our brother Barimah Akoto Djan".

Meanwhile, President John Mahama has announced
conclusion of plans for the state funeral for the
late Harry Sawyer.

"This funeral is our funeral. It is for all of us
and not the family alone. We all bear the grief of
his passing and then we will all do whatever we
have to do and actively participate in giving him
a befitting farewell. It has been decided that we
give him a state burial and so I just wanted to
inform the family. Once you indicated the date and
formally inform the Chief of Staff, he will
activate the processes that allow us to give this
citizen a befitting farewell", President John
Mahama indicated.

President Mahama further added that the late Harry
Sawyer was a holder of the Order of the Volta, the
highest medal of recognition in the country and
therefore will be given a state burial.

"I just want to tell the family that we are
together with you in this moment and stand by you
and make sure that whatever needs to be done to
respect the memories of this great man, we will
do", he mourned.

Source - Joyonline

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