P.V. Obeng laid to rest
The remains of Sir Paul Victor Obeng were laid to rest at a private burial in his native Akrokerri last Saturday.
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This was after the body had been laid in state at his Abusuafie (family house). The burial mass was at the Asare Bediako Park.
Thousands of sorrow-stricken mourners descended on the traditional Ashanti town in honour of the respected and revered man.
The solemn funeral was attended by President John Dramani Mahama, who bade farewell to the man who had been a dominant figure in national politics and development over the past three decades.
Former President Jerry John Rawlings and his wife, Nana Konadu Agyemang, also turned up for the last day of the three-day elaborate state funeral.
Until his death at age 67, Mr Obeng was the Senior Adviser to the President and also Chairman of the National Development Planning Commission (NDPC).
Mr Mahama and former President Rawlings walked behind the hearse for about 400 metres right from the funeral grounds to the graveside.
It was an emotional sight, and without doubt, typified the pain that the President had endured since the demise of his right-hand man.
Wreaths
Six wreaths were laid, with the President laying the first, followed by Flt Lt Rawlings and the widow, Rose.
The other wreaths were laid by the deceased's children, the Obeng family of Akrokerri and the National Democratic Congress (PV was a senior member of the party).
An emotional sister, Dr Mrs Charlotte Abaka, spoke about his brother as a unifier.
"PV's non-discrimination irrespective of political affiliation is a living legacy," she said.
PNDC-NDC old guards
There was a brief ritual by the old guards of the PNDC-NDC, which saw former President Rawlings, who sat quietly, nodding intermittently.
The old guards, including the Ahwoi brothers, Messrs Ohene Agyekum, E.T. Mensah, Kofi Totobi Quakyi, moved in unison to the casket containing the remains of their former colleague and sang the old PNDC revolutionary song, "Revo, revo , revolution, has a long way to go, but has come to stay."
One by one, the old PNDC-NDC top shots moved away and paid homage to President Mahama and former President Rawlings.
Sermon
The Metropolitan Archbishop of the Kumasi Catholic Archdiocese, Most Rev. Gabriel Justice Anokye, who preached the sermon at the memorial service, paid tribute to Mr Obeng for giving all his life to the church and the nation.
"His Catholic and Christian faith was unquestionable," he said.
Most Rev. Anokye said Mr Obeng was a knowledgable personality extraordinaire who would be missed by his church and nation
