Banks shutdown in Kumasi for Asantehemaa’s burial today

Some banks in Kumasi have shutdown for businesses today, January 19 as the late Asantehemaa, Nana Afia Serwaa Kobi Ampem II, is finally laid to rest at Breman.

At least two banks, Standard Chartered Bank Ghana Limited and Fidelity Bank, served notice Wednesday to their customers that they will not operate all their branches in Kumasi on Thursday due to the burial of the late Asantehemaa.

“…In line with the funeral rites of the late Queen mother of Asanteman, our branches in Kumasi will not be opened on Thursday 19.01.17,” a notice from Standard Chartered Wednesday read.

Fidelity Bank also issued similar notice to its customers, stating “Our Kumasi branches will be closed on Thursday, 19th Jan. 17 as directed by the Asanteman Council. We re-open on Fri 20th Jan 17. Thank you”.

Already, the Ghana Education Service has directed all schools within the Kumasi metropolis to close down on Thursday due to the burial ceremony that is set to take over the city.

The decision, contained in a statement, forms is part of measures put in place to ensure smooth funeral rites of the late Asantehemaa.

The 111-year-old Asantehemaa who reigned for 39 years, died on November 11, 2016. She was the 14 queenmother of the Asante Kingdom since 1695 after the late Nana Ama SerwaaNyarko II who reigned from 1945 to 1977.

Funeral rites for the late Asantehemaa started on Monday, January 16 at the Manhyia Palace, the seat of the Asante Kingdom, where she has been laid in state for mourners across the world to pay their last respect.

Residents have since Monday been warned not to step out between the hours of 6:00pm and 3:00am until after January 20 when the curtain will be drawn on the funeral rites.