Kumasi (Ashanti Region) 25 March '99
Kumasi (Ashanti Region) 25 March '99 The Akwamuhene, Otumfuo Ansah Sasraku the sixth, in the Eastern region, traditionally the "wife" of the Asantehene, yesterday performed his "widowhood" rites at Manhyia Palace in Kumasi. The Akwamuhene entered the palace with grass in his mouth to signify that he was in a state of mourning and would neither drink nor eat. According to Nana Aku-Brakatu Brempong the second, Akwamu Gyaasehene, the tradition dates back to the 18th century, when the first Asante King, Osei Tutu, who had his traditional tuition in the court of the Akwamuhene, married an Akwamu woman before he became King. Ever since, Nana Aku-Brakatu Brempong said, the ties have existed between Asante Kings and Akwamus. Other paramount chiefs who paid their last respects include Okuapemhene Oseadeyo Addo Dankwa, Denkyirahene Odeefuo Boa Amponsem and a delegation from Okyeman, led by Osabarima Agyemang, Nifahene of Akim Abuakwa. Others are Nandom-Na Puobi Chiri, vice-President of the National House of Chiefs, Paga-Pio Pe Awampa, President of the Upper East Regional House of Chiefs, Togbe Nyaho Tamakloe the fourth, acting President of the Anlo Traditional Council. Odeneho Gyapong Ababio, President of the Western Regional House of Chiefs and a member of the Council of State, accompanied by Mrs Esther Lily Nkansah, Western Regional Minister, and Lieutenant-Colonel Kaku Korsah, Shama/Ahanta East Metropolitan Chief Executive, also paid their last respects to the departed King. The Western Region delegation donated three cartons of Guinness, three crates of minerals, one carton of schnapps and one million cedis cash to Asanteman. The Dagbon Traditional Council was represented by the Banvim-Lana, Mohammed Abdulai, while the Bimbilla-Na was represented by the Nakpa- Na Salifu Dawuni. The Banvim-Lana said the Dagbon state regarded the Asantehene as a Ya-Na and have therefore brought all the things used in burying a Ya- Na for the burial of the Asantehene.. He said they were coming with 36 guns to give the Asantehene a "real burial", but the guns were taken away from them by the police at Yapei in view of the ban on arms and ammunition in the Northern Region. The Banvim-Lana said the Ya-Na hopes that the successor to the throne will be humble like Otumfuo Opoku Ware, so that the long-standing relationship that has existed between Dagbon and Asante will continue. A delegation from the Ashanti Regional Directorate of Education, district directors, headmasters, principals of training colleges and technical institutions also paid their last respects to the Asantehene. More
