poreku died in his sleep at his tamale residence on 6 march 2008 at 6:20 pm. his longtime aide mark attabeh and his doctor augustine kabir aided him in his final months. he had been bedridden for the last seven months of his life after slipping in 2007 causing hip difficulties. his remains were taken to the morgue before being taken to the archdiocesan cathedral to lie in state. on 31 march a vigil was held at jubilee park with cardinal peter turkson presiding over the funeral on 1 april; the president john kufuor and vice-president aliu mahama were in attendance with archbishop peter akwasi sarpong delivering the sermon and felix owusu adjepong delivering a tribute on the government's behalf.