Techiman (B/A), Jan. 19, GNA - Techiman in the Brong-Ahafo Region was at the weekend thrown into a state of mourning following the announcement of the death of Osabarima Dotobibi Takyi Ameyaw II, Omanhene of the Techiman Traditional area, at an emergency meeting of chiefs and people. The Omanhene died at the age of 56 on September 22 last year at the 37 Military Hospital in Accra, a few days after celebrating the annual Yam Festival of the chiefs and people of the area, which was attended by Vice President Aliu Mahama.

The announcement of the death of the chief, who was known in private life as Colonel Joseph Yaw Frimpong, Director of Research and Development of the Senior Staff College of the Ghana Armed Forces at Teshie in Accra, virtually brought all social and economic activities in the thriving and buoyant commercial town to a halt. Nana Opoku Abankwah II, Krontihene and acting President of the Techiman Traditional Council, broke the sad news to the expectant crowd of mourners at the palace.

All the people at the palace grounds, including chiefs, were clad in mourning cloths with red arm and headbands and weeping uncontrollably. With the sound of 'Atumpan' and 'Fontonfrom' throbbing at the background amidst the incessant firing of musketry and singing funeral dirges, some of the mourners, including chiefs, gyrated in traditional dance steps in honour of the late Omanhene.

The milling mourners included representatives of political parties, traditional rulers and the clergy. Culture was at its best as traditional executioners could be seen actively portraying their "eye redness" amidst the chanting of war songs to signify that "a great tree has fallen".

Mr Afari Mintah and Madam Ataa Agyeiwaa of the Centre for National Culture at Tanokrom in Sunyani sang funeral dirges that drew tears from many of the mourners.

Nana Kwadwo Seinti, Brong Ahafo Regional Minister, led a government delegation that included Mr Isaac Osei-Antwi, Techiman District Chief Executive (DCE), Mr Prince Oduro-Mensah, Member of Parliament (MP) for Techiman South and the Chairmen of North and South Constituencies respectively of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Nana Kwabena Dwomor and Mr Peter Adom Aboache, to the palace.

The Regional Minister, presented four bottles of schnapps and two crates of soft drinks to the bereaved family on behalf of the government. He expressed the condolences of the President, the government, the Regional Co-ordinating Council and people of the region to the entire people of the traditional area. Nana Seinti described the death of the Omanhene as a great loss to the region and nation and gave the assurance that the government and the Regional Coordinating Council would ensure the success of his funeral.

In a consolation message, Mr. A.A. Munufie, former Co-Chairman of NDC and former Ambassador to La Cote D'Ivoire, who is the publicity Chairman of the funeral committee, said "Techiman is very proud of the late Omanhene who cleverly and tirelessly combined and performed his two positions so perfectly". He said though the death of the Omanhene was a big blow to the people of the Traditional Area, Osabarima Takyia would always be remembered as one of the greatest and wisest Chiefs of Techiman. The late Omanhene left behind a widow, Mrs Rebecca Adwo Amissa Frimpong, five sons and a daughter. An NDC delegation led by the former Techiman DCE, Mr. Francis Yaw Gyarko, also donated two bottles of schnapps.

Nana Owusu Gyare II, Akwamuhene and acting chairman of the funeral committee, said the body of the late Omanhene would arrive from Accra on February 20 and would be laid in state at Techiman on February 21. He said President John Agyekum Kufuor, members of the Diplomatic Corps and the National House of Chiefs would be expected to pay their last respect to the late Omanhene.

On February 22, the traditional council of Techiman would receive sympathizers from the Ashanti, Eastern and Central Regions. On February 23 the council would receive sympathizers from the Volta, Greater Accra and Western Regions, Delegations from Northern, Upper East and West Regions would be at Techiman for the funeral on February 24.

Nana Owusu said on February 25, chiefs in the Techiman Traditional area would swear the oath of allegiance to the late Omanhene to be followed by a funeral ceremony by the military in his honour as Colonel of the Ghana Armed Forces. He said the body of Osabarima Takyia would later in the day be interred at the Techiman Royal Mausoleum after burial and memorial service at the palace. The late Omanhene, a staunch Pentecost, was enstooled on September 26, 1989 as the 39th ruler of the Traditional Area.