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The Reverend Dr Fred Deegbe, General Secretary of the Christian Council of Ghana, on Wednesday, said the announcement of the death President John Evans Atta had been difficult to believe until now because nobody ever expected such a tragedy. He told journalists at the Banquet Hall, Accra, where President Mills is lying in State that: �It has suddenly dawned on us that this is real. The man is gone. Ministers of State are crying; everybody is crying. �Today is really a sad day. When we look beyond politics, we see in the late President Mills as a man with great qualities. He did not belong in politics but he showed us that we can be gentle even as politicians.� Meanwhile, other high profile dignitaries have started paying their last respects to President Mills amidst wailing, singing of dirges and beating of traditional fontonfrom drums. Within the hall, the serene sounds of �Mennson,� traditional flutes fill the atmosphere, interspersed with melodious patriotic tunes from distinguished chorus group singers backed by a joint band from the Ghana Armed Forces and Ghana Police Service. Against the background of red and black, the traditional mourning colours, the body of President Mills lies on a bed, encased by a glass screen, surrounded by flowers arranged to reflect the national colours of red and yellow and green with a black star in the middle, while the national flag and red and black materials drape the pillars in the room. The dignitaries mostly dressed in either red or black or a combination of the two colours, walked slowly in tranquil mood with both of their hands mostly behind them, as a show of respect for the late President Mills. A large entourage of a cross-section of the public also waited patiently for their turn to file past the body. The military and other security officers are at post dressed in their ceremonial uniforms to maintain law and order. Meanwhile, Mr Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, a Deputy Minister of Information, and member of the Funeral Planning Committee, in a statement issued in Accra, assured the public that there were no special invitation cards required for them to pay their last respects to departed President on Wednesday and Thursday. �Indeed all Ghanaians from all walks of life are free to file past the President Mills from 1300 hours on Wednesday, August 8,� he stated. The public resume viewing from 0600 on Thursday, August 9. The statement asked all representatives of the National and Regional Houses of Chiefs and Queenmothers scheduled to pay their respects at 1100 on Thursday, August 9, to converge at the VAG Guest House, near the Ghana Immigration Service Headquarters, to be conveyed to the Banquet Hall. Mr Okudzeto Ablakwa announced that, under the auspices of the Ministry of Information, a special allotment had been made for all media practitioners to pay their last respects on Thursday, August 9, between 1300 hours -1400 hours, "Media practitioners ought to remember that no form of photography is allowed within the Banquet Hall," he stressed. Mr Okudzeto Ablakwa reminded Ghanaians that these events were national in character and should be observed as such with the best of conduct and cooperation with security personnel and designated officials.