Ghanaian late President John Atta Mills goes home

The three day burial ceremony of the Ghanaian late President John Atta Mills, came to a climax yesterday as his funeral was held in the capital, Accra. World leaders were among thousands of mourners gathered Friday in the West African nation of Ghana to pay their respects to the late leader.

Mills died last month at age 68, prompting outpourings of grief from many Ghanaians. Ghanaians from all walks of life, many dressed in the traditional black and red of mourning, thronged Independence Square in Accra to witness the ceremony, in a show of national unity.

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton was among the many foreign dignitaries who traveled to Ghana for the funeral which was attended by more than 15 heads of state, including almost all the West African leaders.

After the ceremony, the casket was laid to rest near Osu Castle, the seat of government where Mills had lived and worked since he became president. Highlight of the ceremony saw the release of 100 doves into the air to mark its end.

The late president's body was laid out for public viewing Wednesday and Thursday. Some of the visiting heads of state took turns to file past the body Friday morning.

Ghana's Deputy Minister of Information Samuel Okudzeto-Ablakwa said 67 foreign delegations were represented from all over the world.

Mills became president in 2009, narrowly winning a runoff vote, having unsuccessfully run for the top office in 2000 and 2004.