By Srivas das
Last weekend we were invited to participate in the funeral of the Ghanaian International drummer who used to live down the road from the temple and could be visited only by appointment. He died in December last year and was given state burial/cremation last week. He willed that his body be cremated and that the Hare Krishna devotees officiate at his funeral. So the whole country saw the devotees on two TV stations officiating the funeral. The Government provided an air-conditioned bus to bring the devotees from the temple to the state house and back again with a police motorcade.
The ex-president Rawlings was happy to meet the devotees and took pictures with us. So many books were distributed during this important event. Ex-President Rawlings who was given a set of Bhagavatams by Bhakti Tirtha Swami many years ago was happy to receive more books this time and spoke about the importance of the Vedas. All the important dignataries including ministers of state, eagerly accepted Srila Prabhupada’s books. We made sure our contact numbers and temple address were stamped on each book, consequently we have been receiving calls after the funeral from people who have started reading the books. Two people have already visited the temple from the funeral and the military chaplain who was present and also received books, called to say he wants some more books for the military library. Is it possible to ask devotees worldwide to donate some Gitas and sets of Bhagavatams for some important institutions like the military, police and some new universities in the country?
It was the opinion of the temple council to invite leaders from around the country as well as devotees from Togo in order to form a strong representation of the movement at this historic event. Varaha Prabhu was here with three other devotees from Togo. It was a wonderful outreach opportunity and this funeral has made the movement more popular among the elite of Ghana.