Final funeral rites of Otumfuo Baidoo Bonsoe 11 announced

The final funeral rites of Otumfuo Baidoo Bonsoe 11, King of Ahanta who was captured and beheaded by the Dutch in 1838 would take place tentatively in the third week of August this year.

Professor Kwesi Jonah, Secretary of the Funeral Planning Committee, announced this on Monday during a press briefing organized by the Western Regional House of Chiefs and the Ahanta Traditional Council at Sekondi.

Professor Jonah, who is a Professor in Political Science at the University of Ghana, Legon, said activities leading up to the final funeral rites would begin in May and a befitting mausoleum for mortal remains of the late King would be constructed before the final funeral rites.

He said activities lined up include a fundraising and documentary on the King to be shown on national television channels and the creation of an event website and billboards.

He said Nana Baidoo Bonsoe II, was not just an ordinary Ahanta King, but one who by his courageous confrontation with the Dutch authorities, booked his place in the history of Ghana as one of the great African Chiefs who resisted the domination, exploitation and underdevelopment of Africa by European powers.

He said the late King was assassinated for his fortitude in fighting the Dutch against their heinous crimes and slave trade.

He said the head of the late King, was taken and kept at a medical laboratory at the Leiden University Medical Center in the Netherlands for 172 years.

Professor Jonah said the remains of the King was returned to Ghana in 2009 with support from President John Evans Atta Mills after diplomatic discourse between Ghana and the Dutch authorities.**