Vice President John Dramani Mahama on Thursday joined hundreds of mourners who thronged Kumasi to mourn the death of Nana Boakye Antonsah Ababio, one of the chief confidants of Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II.

Nana Ababio, 56 years, was the Akomfrehene (Chief Security Officer) and traditional son of the King who had served a number of years at the Manhyia Palace.

The atmosphere at the funeral grounds was charged with drumming and dancing as the sign of last respect for the late chief.

Otumfuo Osei Tutu described the late chief as honest, straightforward, humorous and friendly, who had the penchant of putting smiles on the faces of people even in times of grief.

He said his death was not only a lost to his family, but to him personally and the entire Asante Kingdom as his sense of humour made him popular among the visitors and patrons of the palace.

The Vice President was accompanied by Dr Kwaku Agyemang Mensah, Ashanti Regional Minister, Mr Samuel Sarpong Kumasi Metropolitan Chief Executive, Deputy Commissioner of Police Patrick Timbilla, out-going Regional Commander of the Ghana Police Service and other security commanders, who paid their last respect to the chief who was laid in state at his family house near the Manhyia palace.

The late Nana Ababio left behind three wives and 10 children.**