Kumasi: Schools shut for Asantehemaa’s burial

The Ghana Education Service in the Ashanti Region has directed that all schools be closed today, Thursday, 19 January, for the final funeral and burial rites of Asantehemaa Afia Kobi Serwaa Ampem II.

According to strict orders of Manhyia, no one is to be seen outside on Thursday during the burial ceremony. Manhyia has also directed that commercial activities in Kumasi be halted on burial day.

Traders and residents in the Ashanti regional capital of Kumasi say they will ensure full compliance with the directive.

Nana Afia Kobi Serwaa Ampem II, the mother of Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, King of the Asante, died at the age of 111 after she reigned for 39 years.

Her burial on Thursday will crown the four-day funeral rites.

President Nana Addo-Dankwa Akufo-Addo and former president John Mahama have paid their last respects to the late Asantehemaa.

Apart from them, Vice-president Alhaji Mahamudu Bawumia and his wife Samira, former President John Kufuor, former UN Secretary General Kofi Annan as well as other prominent citizens and outsiders have been paying their respects to the 111-year-old late queen mother.