Kumasi (Ashanti Region) 18 March '99

The Asantehene funeral planning committee has announced the "dress code" for the burial of the late Otumfuo Opoku Ware the second, Asantehene. According to a release signed by Baffour Appiah Dankwa the third, Anantahene and chairman of the publicity sub-committee in Kumasi, the public must be in "Kuntunkuni" with the women in "Dansikran", a traditional hair-do or in "kaba" without head-gear. The release said as the Asantehene is laid in state, those who file past must remove their sandals or foot-wear; "they should not put on ornaments including wrist-watches, chains, rings and ear- rings." Photographers or video operators and TV cameramen will not be permitted to film or take pictures of the body. "The public must take note and comply accordingly", the release added.