Prez Mahama informed of death of Col. Zanlerigu, Nana Tibu Asare
President John Mahama was last Monday informed of the passing away of Col David Gbon Zanlerigu (retd), a former Commanding Officer of the Presidential Guard of Dr Kwame Nkrumah and Nana Tibu Asare, Omanhene of the Assin Atandaso Traditional Area in the Central Region.
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Delegations from the Nangodi Traditional Area in the Upper East Region and Assin Atandaso were at the Flagstaff House to inform the President of the demise of the two personalities.
Nangodi delegation
The first to call was the Nangodi delegation, which was led by the Paramount Chief of Nangodi, Nab Simon Asaga Yelzoya II.
He described the late Zanlerigu as a man who was not only “our hero” in Nangodi but the entire Northern Ghana.
Eulogy
President Mahama eulogised Col. Zanlerigu who he described as "a model of bravery and courage."
He mentioned how the late military officer's heroism saved the family of Dr Nkrumah in the 1966 coup d’état.
President Mahama assured the delegation that the government would offer him a state-assisted funeral.
Biography
Col Zanlerigu was born in 1931 and was recruited into the Ghana Armed Forces in 1949.
He took charge of the training of new army personnel and later became a non-commissioned officer.
In 1956, he passed the Armed Forces Officers’ selection examination.
Col. Zanlerigu became the Commanding Officer of the fiery Presidential Guard Company of Dr Kwame Nkrumah.
Six months to his death, the Companion of the Order of the Volta was conferred on him by President Mahama in appreciation of his laudable contributions to the development of Ghana.
Late Omanhene
The acting President of the Assin Atandaso Traditional Area, Oseadeeyo Kwantwi Barima II, who spoke on behalf of the delegation, said the remains of the Omanhene would lie in state on November 10, 2016, after which he would be buried on November 12, 2016.
President Mahama said the late Omanhene served his people and nation well. He promised to attend the funeral.
