Wenchi (B/A) Feb. 1, GNA - Vice President Aliu Mahama on Tuesday led a government delegation to join the people of Wenchi to pay their final respects to their Omanhene, Osagyefo Ampem Abrefa Mbore Bediatuo V1.

The delegation included Professor Christopher Ameyaw Akumfi, Acting Minister of Ports, Harbours and Railways, Mr. S.K. Boafo, Ashanti Regional Minister, Nana Kwadwo Seinti, Brong Ahafo Regional Minister and his Vice Mr Yaw Adjei-Duffuor and Mr Kwaku Agyeman Manu, Acting Deputy Minister of Finance and Economic Planning.

Mr Joe Donkor, Acting Deputy Minister of Education, Youth and Sports, Mr Thomas Broni, Acting Deputy Minister of the Interior and Dr Haroun Majeed, Acting Deputy Minister of Mines and other public officials were with them.

Vice President Mahama with the delegation, after filing past the body of Nana Mbore Bediatuo, presented 10 million cedis, 12 bottles of schnapps and nine crates of assorted alcoholic and soft drinks to the Wenchi Traditional Council and the bereaved family.

Culture was at its best at the ceremony as the mourners, clad in red and black cloth and dresses thronged the funeral grounds with blackened-face executioners parading and brandishing swords and firing musketeers.

The women sang dirges and danced to music provided by a host of various traditional groups in honour of their Omanhene, who served them for 46 years.

Nana Mbore Bediatuo, said to have initiated educational, water, agricultural and developmental schemes, died on June 16 last year at the age of 101.

According to the funeral programme, chiefs from Ashanti, Eastern and Central regions with their counterparts from the Brong Ahafo Traditional Council and other dignitaries would file past the body on Wednesday.

Chiefs from Northern, Upper East, Upper West regions would do so on Thursday, while those from Volta, Greater Accra and Western Regions would have their turn on Friday.

The burial rites would be climaxed with a non-denominational church service followed by parting oaths from the chiefs and people. Nana Mbore Bediatuo would be buried at the royal mausoleum on Saturday.

Funeral rites would be performed later.