Okyehene's Programme Out

The Okyeman Council has announced Friday September 1 to Monday September 11 2000 as the period for the royal funeral rites for the late Okyenhene, Osagyefuo Kuntunkununku II and the Okyenhemaa Aberewaa Nana Sakyiraa II at Kyebi.

As a result a two-week ban on all funerals within Okyeman has been imposed with effect from Monday August 28 till September 11 when the state would go into a formal period of mourning.

Outlining the programme to newsmen last week, Baafuor Asante Bediatuo Katakyie, the Okyenhene's Apagyahene, said the funeral rites begin at 12 midnight on Friday September 1at Kyebi.

According to him, traditional soldiers (Amantuomiensa) will arrive at Kyebi and join Osagyefuo's atumtunfuo to fire musketry. They would be joined later by the Osagyefuo.

Baafour Katakyie stated that each of the days from Monday September 4 to Friday September 8 has been specifically set aside for the Adonten, Nifa, Benkum, Osiewuo and the Gyase divisions to Teran to play traditional parts in the Odupon-ayie.

He explained that on each of the allotted days, chiefs from each division, attired in Batakaris, would ride in a palanquin to pay respects to the memory of the two departed royals. The Apagyahene said as the Okyenhene is the head of the Asona Clan, it is mandatory on the Omanhene of Offinso, Edweso, the Okuapehene and all Asona traditional heads to play their parts in the funeral on Friday September 8. The same day, members of the Diplomatic Corps, The Council of State and the Speaker of Parliament would be hosted.

He disclosed that the Okyenhene would receive the President and his Vice as well as leaders of political parties on Saturday September 9, the climax of the funeral. The historic nature of the day would be the public appearance of the Okyenhene in the 283-year old Okyeman Batakarikese.

The public showing of the war attire would be the third since Osagyefuo Bediako, Nana Ofori Panin used it with historic success in the1717 war. It was also used again in 1927 by Beyeeman Ofori Atta I.

The Apagyahene hinted that the dress code is red cloth (Koben) for the royal families but everybody else could use Brisi and other mourning cloth that may not offend the dignity of the royals. Special car stickers and badges for invited guests would be strictly adhered to on the funeral grounds.

On the media, he said only accredited personnel would be permitted to videotape the event. However, photographs could be taken without formal permission.

On behalf of the Okyeman Council, he appeal to all public and private institutions to allow all sons and daughters of Akyem in their employment to attend the historic funeral.

The funeral rites end on Monday September 12 after a non- denominational church service at Esekesieho on Sunday.