DAILY GRAPHIC, Monday, August 13, 2012, Centre Spread, Pg. 57. Hundreds visits Mill's tomb

The tomb of the late President of Ghana, Prof. John Evan Atta Mills

Story & Picture: Mary Ankrah
A sizeable crowd besieged the Asomdwee Park yesterday to pay their respects at the graveside of the late President John Evans Atta Mills.

When President Mills was buried last Friday, members of the public were not allowed access to the inner perimeter of the park.

However, since the park was opened to the public later Friday, members of the public including children, adults, the aged and tourists, have been trooping in and out of the plush green bird sanctuary to pay their last respects.

Some of the crowd at the graveside of the late President at Asomdwee Park

Most of the spectators were those returning from church service.

To keep law and order at the place, security personnel including those from the Ghana Police Service and the Ghana Armed Forces kept patrolling the area on foot.

The tomb side was also stunningly decorated with red carpet and wreaths while flowers lined up at the edges.

Photographers took advantage of the situation to ply their trade.They were spotted taking pictures and instantly printing them for their clients at GH¢2.00 per copy.

When the Daily Graphic visited the park yesterday afternoon, lots of people including children were seen taking pictures around the tomb side while others were spotted standing around it with their arms folded.

Most of the people who spoke with the Daily Graphic said they could not withstand the crowd last Friday hence the decision to visit the graveside yesterday to pay their last respects to the late President.

“We love our President for the unique qualities he exhibited while on earth and so we are here to pay our last respects,” Alex Abeka Jacobs and Andy Holms, both residents of Osu, said.

The spectators are not only from Accra. Agya Yiadom, a herbalist, said he travelled all the way from Sunyani in the Brong-Ahafo Region to file past the body of the late President when he was laid in state from August 8 to10 but did not get the opportunity to do so.

“Since I could not see his body, this is the best moment to pay my last respects,” he said.

He said he was motivated to see the last resting place of the late President because of the laudable qualities President Mills demonstrated and promised to bring his entire family to see the historic place.

“I’m impressed with the environment, the place is unique and just when I entered I was sorrowful. It is an experience that every Ghanaian who visits here would want to share,” he observed.

Two 12-year-old residents of the area, Eric Adotey and his friend, Marvin Amofah, disclosed that they were sad when they heard the news of the sudden death of the President.

According to the two friends, they usually saw the departed President jogging every morning around the Castle before his sudden departure.

A cross view of the Asomdwee Park

“A day before his death, we saw him jogging. We will never forget him because he was a courteous person; he normally greeted us whenever we met him on the way jogging. We will never forget him and so we will continue to visit the Asomdwee Park to show our respect and remember him,” they said.

Little Wintima Penina Anyagre said she would remember the late President especially his mantra “my brothers and sisters” because she saw him as her grandfather and mentor.