Funeral Omanhene

Agona Nyarkrom (C/R), May 6, GNA - A week-long mourning and funeral for the late Omanhene of Agona Nyakrom, Okofo Katakyie Nyarku Eku IX, has begun at Nyarkrom in the Central Region.

Citizens of the traditional area, as well as well-wishers and sympathisers have thronged the town to pay their last respect to the Omanhene. At the forecourts of the palace, which had undergone a major rehabilitation, thousands of mourners clad in mourning cloth filled past the corpse.

Among the sympathisers was an eight-man delegation of the Bank of Ghana led by Mrs Adelaide Benneh, Director and staff of Ghana Education Service (GES) of Agona Swedru District.

A spokesman for the GES, Mr J. K. A. Yanney said that the late Omanhene as the "masterbrain" behind many educational institutions in the area. The Adonten division of the traditional area from Swedru on Friday took their turn to sing war songs and the firing of musketry.

Similar homage were paid by the other mourners from the Nifa division as well as the Benkum division took their turn on Thursday. A high powered government delegation would join the mourners before the burial.

The late Omanhene died early September 1999 at the age of 74 and reigned for 54 years. In an interview with the GNA, Nana Kwabena Botwe, II, Acting President of the traditional area expressed his heart felt condolence to the Agonaman and the bereaved family and hoped that the king-makers would do all within their powers to chose a well qualified successor to for the late Omanhene.

Nana also expressed gratitude to donors, sponsors and all who in diverse ways have helped to make the funeral a success. Nana Odiako Bonsu II, Tufuhene of the area and presiding member of the Agona District Assembly, call on the people to ensure absolute peace during the funeral.