Prez joins citizens of Peki to bury chief
President John Dramani Mahama last Saturday joined hundreds of mourners at Peki in the Volta Region to pay his last respects to Togbe Kwadzo Dei XI, the Deiga of the Peki Traditional Area, who died about six years ago.
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The paramount chief, whose remains had been kept in the mortuary due to a chieftaincy dispute in the area, was finally buried at the Royal Mausoleum after an elaborate six-day funeral which ended with a church service at the Peki-Blengo EP Church.
Earlier on Sunday, rituals, including the pouring of libation and the firing of muskets, had been performed.
Public viewing of the body continued at the palace, and about 11 a.m. the casket containing the remains of the Deiga, draped in the national colours, was carried by military pall bearers to the service grounds.
The late Deiga, known in private life as Seth Yao Tutu Brempong, was a distinguished soldier before acceding the Asamoa Stool of Peki on May 8, 1961.
He had enlisted in the Gold Coast Army on September 28, 1955 and trained as an auto mechanic at the Burma Camp.
He was sent to the Republic of Congo in 1960 on a United Nations Peacekeeping Mission.
His gallantry and dedication saw the troops he commanded turning away the Congolese insurgents who sought for the blood of President Patrice Lumumba.
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His extraordinary output led to the UN, through President Kwame Nkrumah, decorating him with the Military Cross (MC) medal in 1962.
Described as industrious by his people, the Deiga was arrested a number of times.
In September 1979, he was arrested, along with the musicologist, Dr Ephraim Amu, and six others, on a charge of murder, but was later acquitted and discharged by the High Court, Accra.
President pays tribute
In a tribute delivered on his behalf by the Minister of Chieftaincy, Dr Henry Seidu Danaa, President Mahama described the Deiga as a chief who contributed immensely to the development of his traditional area and Ghana.
He said the chief paid his dues and Ghana would miss him dearly.
President Mahama expressed the hope that a successor would be chosen in a peaceful manner.
The government made a donation of GH¢10,000 to the bereaved family.
The tribute by the Volta Regional House of Chiefs was read by its President, Togbe Afede XVI.
In a sermon, the Moderator of the EP Church, the Rt Rev. Seth Senyo Agidi, advised people to lead lives that would grant them a place in the Kingdom of God on the day of judgement.
He said Deiga Dei lived a worthy life.
Togbe Dei was married to Mrs Grace Abra Brempong and left behind 17 children.