Kumasi (Ashanti Region) 9 April '99

Asanteman on Thursday observed the 40th day rites of Otumfuo Opoku Ware the Second the late Asantehene. Otumfuo Osei Tutu the second, Asantehene-elect, sat in state at the Manhyia Palace to receive homage from sympathisers from all walks of life. Otumfuo Osei Tutu, in "Koben"(red cloth), his right shoulder smeared with red ochre and wearing "denkyemkye", a hat made of crocodile skin, rode in a palanquin from the palace to the funeral grounds. Accompanied by state sword bearers, Otumfuo Osei Tutu was taken through some streets around the Palace and Ashanti New Town before returning to the funeral grounds at 1400 hours. There was traditional drumming, singing of dirges and appellations and cheers from the crowd. With the firing of musketry at the background, the milling crowd of mourners surged forward to catch a glimpse of the Asantehene- elect who sat in state for the first time since his installation last Monday as Kumasihene. Nana Afua Kobi Serwaa Ampem the Second, Asantehemaa, and her retinue as well as paramount and divisional chiefs, had to move at a snail's pace to the funeral grounds because of the large crowd, which the few policemen on duty found difficulty to control. Some members of the royal family, including the children and grandchildren of past occupants of the Golden Stool, were in their koben, their right shoulders and necks smeared with red ochre. They wore garlands made of esuan (a climbing stem) and chewed kola, signifying. the loss of a great monarch and the people's sense of sorrow and grief. Mr Kojo Yankah, Ashanti Regional Minister, his deputy, Mrs Joana Appiah-Dwomoh, Dr Christina Amoako-Nuama, Minister of Lands and Forestry, and Commander Pius M. G. Griffiths (Rtd), Deputy Minister of Communications, were among those who paid homage. Others were District Chief Executives and the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Mr Philip E.K. Antwi. The rest were Parliamentarians from the region, Paramount and Divisional chiefs as well as representatives of some organisations and institutions. All were either in koben or Kuntunkuni (black) cloth.