NPP Gurus Bid Appiah-Menka Farewell

TRAFFIC FLOW in Kumasi, the Ashanti regional capital, was impeded over the weekend as a result of the burial and final funeral rites of Akenten Appiah-Menka, a founding member of the New Patriotic Party (NPP).

The entire government machinery, led by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, Vice President, Dr. Mahamadu Bawumia and other top government appointees attended the solemn ceremony.

The programme, aimed at giving the industrialist, legal practitioner and politician a befitting farewell, was held in four phases and spanned four days.

Wednesday

The event started on Wednesday with a vigil at Nhyiaeso, a serene neighbourhood in Kumasi, and was attended by Vice President Dr. Mahamadu Bawumia, ministers of state, the Ashanti Regional Minister, Simon Osei Mensah, Kumasi Mayor, Osei Assibey Antwi and other government appointees.

Thursday

On Thursday morning the body was laid in state at the Regional Coordinating Council (RCC), where mourners from all walks of life paid their last respects to the deceased.

President Nana Akufo-Addo, Vice President Bawumia, Ashanti Regional Minister, Simon Osei Mensah, Kumasi Mayor, Osei Assibey Antwi and other government officials paid their last respects to him.

Later the same day, the mortal remains of Appiah-Menka were interred in his hometown at Abuabugya in the Ashanti region.

Saturday

The final funeral rites of Appiah-Menka were held at the Heroes Park near the Baba Yara Stadium in Kumasi. The occasion was once again graced by both President Akufo-Addo and Vice President Mahamadu Bawumia.

Sunday

The funeral was climaxed with a mammoth church service in Kumasi on Sunday morning and was again graced by top dignitaries from government, political, religious and business sectors.

By: Kwadwo Essel