An interdenominational church service was held, on Tuesday, at the forecourt of the State Palace at Akropong to begin the weeklong funeral rites of the Okuapenhene, Oseadeyo Addo Dankwa.

The Service, which was organised by the Akuapem Traditional Council, in collaboration with the Local Council of Churches on the Akuapem Ridge, was attended by a large number of mourners from all walks of life.

The service was characterised by hymns; and tributes from the extended family members, his widow, children, siblings, the three Asona ruling royal houses of Akropong, the traditional council, National House of Chiefs and others.

Otoobuor Djan Kwasi, the Aburihene, and the chairman of the Funeral Planning Committee, explained that the opening of the funeral with the Church Service, was in honour of the late paramount chief’s commitment to God and Christian values, which he demonstrated throughout his reign.

He said Oseadeyo always insisted that prayers and Christian service preceded every event in the area, therefore, the Traditional Council found it prudent to begin his final farewell with the service.

The Krontihene and Acting President of the Akuapem Traditional Council, Osahene Offei Kwasi Agyeman, thanked the public for the show of massive support towards the chief’s funeral.

He called for peace and unity throughout the funeral rites to show respect and honour to Oseadeyo, who he said, was committed to peace and demonstrated it.

Oseadeyo’s trust in God and peaceful nature, run through all the tributes, which described him, variously, as ‘a peaceful and honest man’ who served the Akuapem State , and the nation at large in various capacities.

Oseadeyo Addo Dankwa, was known in private life as Stephen Afari Djan, before he ascended the Oforikuma Stool. He was born in 1930.

He began his education at the Methodist Primary School at Asante Bekwai and continued to the Presbyterian Boys Secondary School at Odumase; and then to the University of Ghana.

He became the 25th Okuapenhene, in 1974, when his uncle, Nana Kwame Fori, abdicated the Oforikuma Stool.

He is reputed to be the longest serving Okuapenhene since the formation of the Akuapem State, having reigned for 41 years continuously.

Clad in red and black, the mourners, including a retinue of chiefs from the divisions of the Akuapem State and other areas, such as the Prampram Traditional Area, filed past the remains of the chief to pay their last homage.