Hundreds of residents in Keta in the Volta Region stormed the principal streets of the town to participate in a candlelight vigil in honour of the late President Jerry John Rawlings.

The residents first converged at the Agbotui family house to sing dirges and pay homage to the late statesman, whom they affectionately called ’yevovia’, literally meaning 'the white man’

They later proceeded to the Shell Filling Station opposite the Keta Senior High School where they spent the night celebrating the heroic son of the soil. 

Several cultural troupes were billed to perform during the vigil which lasted till Monday dawn. 

The late former President Jerry John Rawlings is an iconic figure in Dzelukope, Keta, where his late biological mother, Victoria Agbotui comes from. 

The two-term elected President was last seen in the community on Sunday November 8, when he visited the graveside of his late mother, promising to return to plan the 40-day rites for her with the family.

However, he died on Thursday, November 12, after a short illness.

Some residents are yet to come to terms with his demise.

”JJ’s death is just too shocking”, a young lady said with teary eyes. 

The Member of Parliament for Keta, Richard Quashigah, who was present at the vigil, strongly suggested that the Anlo customs and traditions be observed during the funeral and burial of the late President Rawlings.

This according to him is because Jerry John Rawlings was not only a statesman but a kinsman and traditional ruler for the Anlo State. 

”We are humbly, humbly pleading and asking that it has to be thought through very well and should be discussed with the Chiefs of Anlo State, the Awadada.

"The Awomefia should be involved in all these activities so that we will give a befitting burial to our father and former President of Ghana and also a distinguish Chief for the Anlo Land", he said.