MPs pay last respects to late Asantehene

Kumasi (Ashanti region) 23 March ?99

A Parliamentary delegation led by Dr Kwabena Adjei, Minister of Parliamentary Affairs, paid its last respects to the late Asantehene, Otumfuo Opoku Ware the second, at Manhyia Palace in Kumasi on Monday.

Mr J.H. Mensah, Minority Leader, Mr Doe Adjaho, Majority Chief Whip, Alhaji M.A. Seidu, Deputy Majority Leader, and Mr S.K. Boafo, Minority Chief Whip, were among the delegation.

The MPs are among a number of dignitaries who paid their last respects on the first day of the late Asantehene's burial rites. Thousands of mourners from all walks of life have converged at Manhyia Palace to pay their last respects to the departed king. The Ghana Red Cross Society, which has mounted a first aid post at Manhyia, told the Ghana News Agency that it has recorded 40 casualties on the first day of the burial rites.

Most of the cases resulted from exhaustion, others received minor cuts and bruise because of pushing and jostling. The Red Cross said a few of them were rushed to Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) for treatment, and one person has been admitted at the Manhyia Polyclinic.