Kumasi on "un-official" holiday

Kumasi, March 20, GNA - Normal business activities in Kumasi came to a halt on Monday as thousands of mourners thronged the Manhyia Palace to celebrate the grand funeral rites of Otumfuo Opoku Ware II, Asantehene, who went to the village last year, and that of the departed Royalty of the Oyoko clan of Asante since 1978.

There was virtually no commercial activity at Adum, the nerve centre of trading, Roman Hill and the Central Market as many stores were closed. Vehicular movement was low and some of the streets were deserted.

The commercial banks and government offices were, however, opened for normal business. Some shop owners said they decided to close their shops to prevent any possible looting by hooligans, who might have taken advantage of the funeral celebrations to cause havoc.

Others said it was to give them the opportunity to participate in the celebrations. Early Monday morning, long retinues of chiefs from the various wards and divisions of the Kumasi Traditional Council (KTC) wearing talisman studded "Batakari" (war attire) and carrying muskets and large colourful umbrellas, went in processions to Manhyia Palace to participate in musketry at a specially prepared range.

In the afternoon, Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, wearing the "Batakarikesie" (war attire), rode in a palanquin and accompanied by the Gyaase, Ankobea, Manwere and Nkosuo divisions, began their procession from Amiaye through Pampaso to Manhyia Palace to participate in the musketry.

After the musketry Otumfuo Osei Tutu changed his clothes and sat in state to receive homage from the mourners and distributed drinks to the chiefs.