Kumasi (Ashanti), 22 March '99 -

Preparations for the laying-in-state and burial of the late Asantehene, Otumfuo Opoku Ware the Second, reached its climax on Sunday with the erection of canopies over a sea of chairs and the mounting of barriers at the main entrance to Manhyia Palace. All buildings at the palace, where the body will be laid in state for the next four days, have been repainted to give the area a new look. Two giant portraits of the late Asantehene have been erected near the Manhyia Palace museum, in addition to two large billboards on the main road to the Palace, courtesy the State Transport Company (STC) and Ghana Breweries Limited (GBL). The billboards bear the photographs of the late Asantehene and the farewell greetings: "Damirifa due ne amanehunu". A large army of police personnel, some armed, has been deployed at the palace to maintain peace. Most of the paramount and divisional chiefs could not be seen at the Palace. They were apparently preparing in their palaces for the laying-in ceremony, which begins on midnight of Sunday. A programme drawn up for the ceremony said the body will be laid in state at the executive lounge at Manhyia Palace where a "general wake-keeping" will be held throughout the night, and in attendance will be traditional drumming and singing groups. The Anglican Bishop of Kumasi, the Right Reverend (Major) Sarfo, and other clerics will hold a short service, after which members of the royal family and others will keep wake at the bedside.