Kufuor, Nana weep in Kumasi

The Apagyafie in Kumasi, in the early hours of yesterday, was filled with sadness when the late Apagyahene, Oheneba Kwame Kyeretwie, was laid in state.

Thousands of mourners that converged on the place were seen shedding tears for the late traditional leader.

Many people described the late chief as accommodative, respectful, peaceful, development-oriented and a nice person.

Prominent among the people present were former President John Agyekum Kufuor and Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, NPP flagbearer for the 2012 polls.

The two leaders stormed the place around 4am yesterday in a sorrowful mood.

Nana Addo and former President Kufuor were also seen shedding tears as they filed past Oheneba Kwame Kyeretwie’s body.

Also present were former Defence Minister Dr. Kwame Addo Kufuor and other past government officials under the NPP regime.

The late Apagyahene is the father of the Member of Parliament (MP) for Manhyia South, Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh aka ‘Napo.’

Members of Parliament from both the NDC and NPP were also present to console their colleague, Napo.

The late chief would be laid in state for two days for family members, friends and loved ones to pay their last respects.

He would be buried this evening at Apagya Stool Royal Mausoleum at Darbaa, near Asante Akropong.

The occupant of the Golden Stool, the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, is expected to pay his last respects this afternoon.

The Asantehene, after filing past the body, would sit in state for the thousands of mourners present to console him for the great loss.

In a related development, NPP supporters from the length and breadth of the country have trooped to Kumasi to stand behind Napo in this time of grief.

Meanwhile, a church service was held for the late Apagyahene at the Apagyafie yesterday afternoon.

The church service, which was attended by a large crowd, was supervised by Anglican Bishop, Rt. Rev. Dr. Yinkah Sarfo.

It was characterized by the singing of hymns and the preaching of the word of God.