Chief of Staff suspends Kumasi campaign to mourn with Otumfuor

The Chief of Staff of the Republicof Ghana, Mr Julius Debrah has on behalf of President John Dramani Mahama commiserated with the Asantehene, Otumfuor Osei Tutu II over the death of Asantehemaa, Nana Afia Kobi Serwaa Ampem II, mother of the Asantehene.

Nana Serwaa Ampem died last Monday night at the age of 109, having reigned for 39 years.

The Ashanti regional minister John Alexander Ackon who led the delegation to the Manhyia palace to condole with the Asantehene, said upon hearing the passing on of the Asantehemaa, President John Dramani Mahama, who is campaigning in the Upper West region directed his chief of staff who happened to be in the Ashanti region to pause, and rush to the palace to express government profound condolences to the Asantehene.

He said, "what affects the Asantehene affects the President and share in his grief."

He pray for God's strength and fortitude for the families of the Asantehene in these difficult times.

"Government would do all it could to ensure the late Asantehemaa, is given a befitting burial," the regional minister added.

The Chief of Staff was accompanied by the campaign coordinator Madam Faustina Nelson, Ambassador Daniel Ohene Agyekum, regional minister John Alexander Ackon, the regional security council, the Ashanti NDC caucus, ministers of state and senior government officials and presidential staffers.

Briefing Mr. Julius Debrah and his entourage on behalf of the Asantehene, the Chief of Staff of the office of the Asantehene Kofi Badu said the Kumasi traditional council has banned funeral celebrations throughout the Asante Kingdom. A ban on noise making especially drumming has also been effected until the burial of the late Asantehemaa.

Notwithstanding the ban, families could bury their deceased relatives but would not be allowed to organise any funeral until the final funeral rites of the late Asantehemaa have been held.

Kofi Badu, on behalf of the Asantehene thanked the representative of the President and government for coming to express their condolences to the Asantehene over the loss of his mother at a very short notice. He said the funeral arrangements of the late Asantehemaa would be announced later.

He announced that the one week celebration would be observed at the Manhyia palace at 10 a.m on Thursday, November 24, 2016.

He urged Mr. Julius Debrah and his entourage to continue with the campaign, devoid of noise making.