The Late Asante - FosuheneAFTER nearly seven years in the mortuary, the late Nana Ntiako Sakrakyie, of Adansi Fomena, known in private life as Lawyer Samuel Asante Fosuhene, is to be laid to rest.

This follows the resolution, through the efforts of the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, of the long standing dispute over his claim to the Adansi stool, and his right to be buried as the Adansihene.

A release issued in Accra this week by the family of the late Asante Fosuhene said the Royal Bonsra Afriyie Family of Adansi has set up a committee with Otumfuo’s blessing to plan a funeral befitting Nana Sakrakyie as a royal of the Abu Bonsra Clan.

The Committee is under the Chairmanship of Nana Yaw Pepra II, Abadiakyire and head of the royal family. It has Opanin Kwadwo Fosu, Abusuapanin, C. W. Amoakohene, younger brother of the deceased and a representative each of all sections of the royal family as members.

The Times also learnt that on the directive of Otumfuo, the Adansi Traditional Council has already paid mortuary fees running into tens of million, of cedis. However, the burial and funeral expenses are to be borne by the family.

It is not known exactly when the late chief will be buried as the committee is yet to meet to plan the funeral.

The late Asante Fosuhene was a journalist and lawyer who worked for the Ghanaian Times in the early 1970s as a young reporter, and rose to become Features Editor.

He also worked as a company secretary for the New Times Corporation before entering Parliament in the Third Republic.

There were disagreements over his enstoolment, with the Adansi Traditional Council maintaining that although the late Fosuhene contested for the Adansi stool in 1985, there were disputes over his alleged nomination and election resulting in a nullification by Asanteman.

They therefore insisted that when he died on December 31, 1999, he was not the Adansihene, leading to the delay in his burial.

When contacted, officials of the Regional and National Houses of Chiefs in Kumasi confirmed that an agreement has been reached for the late Asante Fosuhene to be buried as a prominent member of the Abu Bonsra Royal Family.