Techiman, (B/A) March 2, GNA - The ever vibrant Techiman, on Saturda= y, stood still as its chiefs and people marked the final funeral rites of Osabarima Dotobibi Takyia Ameyaw II, their once beloved paramount chief. Nana Ameyaw II, aged 57, reigned for 14 years (1989 - 2003). He was a serving Colonel in the Ghana Army. Techiman, a popular weekly marketing centre known nationally for its=

brisk business and trading activities, became quiet as a solemn atmospher= e put to sleep its usual character.

Many shops in the municipality were closed whilst the usually ubiquitous taxi cabs (Tico) became few and irregular in their operation. There were road blocks, including the main Kumasi-Techiman-Tamale highway and vehicles had to resort to by-passes to get to their destinati= ons so that the precincts of the Omanhene's Palace to the funeral-grounds wou= ld remain safe and secure for the movement of mourners and the public. Meanwhile, firing of musketries began as early as 0500 hours at the Palace and by 1300 hours the spacious local Methodist School Park, where the funeral took place, had become packed. People from all walks of life- traditional rulers, military personnel, politicians- gathered to express their condolences to the Omanhene, Oseadeyo Akumfi Ameyaw IV and his elde= rs.

Nana Akumfi IV, adorned in a traditional mourning costume and matchi= ng regalia, had earlier been carried in a palanquin amid drumming and dancin= g in a retinue made up of his divisional and sub-chiefs to the funeral grounds. The Chairman of the funeral planning committee, Oyeadeeye Asa Akompanin, Kyidomhene of Techiman, later in an interview with the Ghana N= ews Agency, described the late chief as a "unifying factor" for the people in=

the traditional area.

He stressed: "Osabarima Takyia Ameyaw II stood as a bridge and a foundation of unity for the Techiman State because his era halted the instability characterised by destoolments and protracted chieftaincy disputes in the area. "He is the first paramount chief of Techiman to die on the stool sinc= e 1922," he emphasized. Nana Akompanin, who is also the chief of Krobo in the Traditional Ar= ea, recounted the virtues and achievements of the late chief and added that h= e was humble, respectful, receptive, very accommodating and served as a use= ful link between the Techiman Traditional Council, the Techiman Municipal Assembly and Officialdom in Accra.

The government delegation was led by Mr. Martin Amidu, the Minister of the Interior, and included Alhaji Collins Dauda, the Minister of Lands an= d Forestry, Mr. Kwadwo Nyamekye-Marfo, Brong-Ahafo Regional Minister and Mr= .. Johnson Asiedu Nketia, the NDC General Secretary.

A delegation of the Ghana Army was led by Brigadier-General Fokuoh, Director-General in charge of Training at the Army Headquarters, represen= ted the Chief of Defence Staff, Lieutenant-General Peter Blay. The government delegation presented GHC 6000.00 and assorted drinks whilst the Paramount Chief of the Dormaa Traditional Area, Osagyefo Oseadeeyo Agyeman Badu II, who represented the Brong Ahafo Regional House= of Chiefs, with organizations and individuals, also made donations.

Osabarima Takyia Ameyaw II, known in private life as Colonel Joseph Yaw Frimpong, was recruited into the Ghana Army in 1969 and was commissioned among the likes of the late Major (Retired) Courage Quashigah in 1971. Having served in various capacities on both national and internation= al duties, he ascended the Takyiman 'Ohene Ameyaw' stool on Tuesday, Septemb= er 26, 1989 under the stool name, Osabarima Dotobibi Takyia Ameyaw II.