GRi special report Burial arrangements of the Otumfuo

Kumasi (Ashanti) 19 March '99 -

Paramount chiefs in Asante and those who owe allegiance to the Golden Stool will swear the oath of allegiance on the night of Wednesday March 24. The body of the late Asantehene will then be convoyed to the Saint Cyprian's Anglican Cathedral at Fante New Town for burial service on Thursday, March 25. The funeral cortege will pass through the Antoa road in front of the Manhyia Palace to Kejetia and then branch off onto the Guggisberg road in front of the Kumasi Central Market through Dunkirk to the Cathedral. After the burial service, it will continue through the main business centre Adum to the Bantama mausoleum where a wreath laying ceremony will take place. Since the Otumfuo embarked on his 'journey to Breman,' the Asanteman Council has placed a ban on drumming and funeral celebrations in Asante until April eight when the 40th day celebration will be observed. Otumfuo Opoku Ware II, will be given a state burial in recognition of his invaluable service to the nation and the chieftaincy institution. Over 700 policemen and soldiers will be deployed to beef up security during the five-day period until the burial at the Royal Mausoleum at Breman, a suburb of Kumasi. The family of Dr. Kofi Annan, Secretary-General of the United Nations (UN) was at the Manhyia Palace last Wednesday to present assorted drinks to the Asanteman council and expressed condolence on his behalf. In compliance with tradition, the Asanteman Council has come out with a "dress code" for those who want to attend the burial. Mourners will have to put on "Kuntunkuni" (black mourning cloth) and the women in "Dansinkran" or "Kaba" without a headgear. Ornaments such as watches, chains, rings, ear-rings are forbidden and those who file past the body must remove their sandals. The burial has led to an influx of both domestic and foreign tourists to Kumasi which is in a state of mourning. Long winding traffic jams have started building up on streets in the city centre and on major roads leading to Kumasi. Human traffic has also heightened as the large concentration of people hustling to go about their duties have been caught up in the packed streets worsened by the rehabilitation works at the Kejetia round about.