Kumasi (Greater Accra) 24 March '99
Kumasi (Greater Accra) 24 March '99 As the burial rites of Otumfuo Opoku Ware the Second, Asantehene get to the climax many important dignitaries continue to pay their last respects to the departed King. Yesterday three aspiring presidents took their turn at the Manhyia Palace in Kumasi to pay their last respects. They are Mr J.A. Kufuor of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Mr John Mahama of People's National Convention (PNC) and Dr Charles Wereko- Brobby of the United Ghana Movement (UGM). Others important personalities who paid their lasts respects included the Governor of the Bank of Ghana (BOG), Dr Kwabena Duffour, Justice A.K. Ampiah, Supreme Court Judge, and Mr D.S. Quarcoopone, a family friend of Otumfuo. Each of them had a message for Otumfuo and signed the book of condolence. Mr Kufuor wrote: "Ohene Kese, Damirifa Due. God bless you", while Mr Mahama said: "Great King, we miss you. Your exemplary life is a legacy for all Africa". Dr Wereko-Brobby also wrote that "a great father, friend and colleague has left. May he rest in peace". The Deputy Chairman of the Electoral Commission (EC) in charge of Administration and Finance, Mr Safo Kantanka, wrote: "A great democrat, a believer in peace and respecter of all people, irrespective of their social class". Mr Ben Adoo, President, Ghana Chamber of Mines, Accra, said: "The mining community wishes Nana a peaceful rest". Mr K.B. Boakye-Boateng, chief Administrator, Forestry Commission, "Nana was an adviser, inspirer and father; may his soul rest in perfect peace". To Mr S.A. Odoi-Sykes, Chairman of NPP, "the funeral of the late Asantehene has been a highly efficient and impressive ceremony, whose arrangement testifies the efficiency and success of his long administration. May his soul rest in peaceful arms of the Lord". Mr Emmanuel Adu-Gyamfi, acting managing Director, Pioneer Aluminium Factory, wrote that "Nana had been a symbol of peace to Asante and Ghana generally. May the Almighty God give a replacement so that the good works of Nana will continue". Mr J.K. Ayekpa, a retired worker of State Transport Company wrote "... the oldman ... called me big brother; may he rest in peace". To Mr R.R. Amponsah, a minister in the second republic, Otumfuo was a "kind and humane father of all". Also at the Manhyia Palace yesterday to pay their last respects were Mrs Naa Morkor Busia, wife of Professor K.A. Busia, Prime Minister of the Second Republic of Ghana and Mr Paul Victor Obeng, a former Presidential Advisor on Governmental Affairs. Mr David Hamspshire, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Guinness Ghana Limited, led some directors of the company including Mr Steve Wilkinson, Managing Director, Professor.
