Techiman (B/A) Feb. 27 GNA- Thousands of mourners including top members of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and the Convention People's Party (CPP), traditional rulers from the Upper East, Ashanti and Greater Accra regions on Wednesday joined the chiefs and people of Techiman for the burial of Osabarima Dotobibi Takyia-Ameyaw, Omanhene of Techiman Traditional area.

Osabarima Takyia-Ameyaw, known in private life as Colonel Joseph Yaw Frimpong, was enstooled on September 26, 1989 as the 39th ruler of the area.

He died on September 22 last year.

An NDC delegation led by its flag bearer Professor John E. Atta Mills, included Col. E.K.T. Donkor, former Defence Minister and Alhaji Collins Dawuda, Brong Ahafo Regional Chairman of the party. They presented five million cedis and drinks to the council, while the CPP delegation led by its flag bearer, Mr. George O. Aggudey and Dr Edmund Delle, the National Chairman, also donated three million cedis and drinks.

Former President, Flt. Lt. J.J. Rawlings accompanied by some top members of the NDC also presented five millions cedis and drinks on his own behalf and on behalf of retired Army Officers.

The French Ambassador in Ghana, Mr Jean Michael Berrit also presented two million cedis and some drinks.

Professor George Panyin Hagan, the National Chairman for the Commission on Culture also presented 500,000 cedis and some drinks while the President of the Upper East Regional House of Chiefs, Naba Azonvugu 11, Paramount Chief of Bawku, made a donation of a cow and 500,000 cedis.

Present were to pay their last respect were, Osu-Alata Mantse, Nii Kwabina Boni, Okatakyie Agyeman Kudom IV, Omanhene of Nkoranza, who also presented customary drinks to the acting President of Techiman Traditional Council, Nana Opoku Abankwa, Krontihene, Nana Afia Abrefi Kotoo, Queen mother and the bereaved family.

Nana Wiafe Akenten, Offinsohene led a delegation to represent Otumfuo Osei Tutu 11, Asantehene.

Osabarima Takyia-Ameyaw 11 laid to rest

Techiman (B/A), Feb. 27, GNA- The mortal remains of the Omanhene of the Techiman Traditional Area, Osabarima Dotobibi Takyia-Ameyaw II, were laid to rest at the Royal Mausoleum, "Banmu", near Hansua in Techiman district.

The last journey to Amanfrom", a traditional grove being the entry point for performance of rituals by the Techiman Traditional Council was successfully performed with a multitude of mourners including chiefs and top military men.

Military pallbearers carried the casket containing the body of the late Omanhene from the palace and later conveyed it to the royal mausoleum in a military vehicle to Amanfrom.

At Amanfrom, the pallbearers lowered the casket and a 21-gun salute was observed as well as a minute's silence administered by the Director of Religious Affairs of the Ghana Armed Forces, Lt. Col. Brewu. Six wreaths were laid, the Navy Commander, Rear-Admiral John Gbena laid the first wreath on behalf of the President and Commander in Chief of the Ghana Armed Forces, Mr John Agyekum Kuffour.

The Air Force Commander Air Commodore Awuku, laid the second wreath on behalf of the Chief of Defence Staff, while the third was laid on behalf of the Army Commander by the General Officer Commanding the Northern Command, Brigadier George Ayiku, with Major General Nii Carl Coleman, laying the fourth wreath on behalf of the Ghana Armed Forces Command and Staff College.

A wreath was laid on behalf of the widow, family and children and the last one by former President Flt. Lt. J.J. Rawlings on his own behalf and that of retired army officers.

Top military personnel at Osabarima Takyia-Ameyaw funeral

Techiman (B/A), Feb. 27, GNA- Top officers of the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) and members of religious organisations took part in a burial service for the late Osabarima Dotobibi Takyia-Ameyaw 11, Omanhene of Techiman Traditional Area.

The Reverend Lt. Col. Brewu, Director of Religious Affairs of the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) in a tribute, said the late Omanhene whom he described as a God-fearing person "who stuck to his Bible, was devoted to the nation, the Armed Forces and the entire citizenry of Techiman". He said the death of the late Omanhene was a great loss to the nation.

Lt Col Brewu asked Christians to emulate the qualities shown by the late Omanhene and remember what Martha said to Jesus: "Lord if you had been here, my brother would not have died"

Nana Baffour Asare Twi-Brempong, Adontenhene of Techiman Traditional area, also in a tribute read on behalf of the Acting President of Techiman Traditional Council, Nana Opoku Abankwa, Krontihene said the late Omanhene was very dynamic and enthusiastic about development projects not only in the Techiman Municipality but also in the entire traditional area.

Nana Christopher Ameyaw Akumfi, Ahenemahene and Minister of Ports, Harbours and Railways, said being conscious that the history of Techiman and indeed the culture of the people was waning, the late Omanhene was determined to create a cultural village for the benefit of posterity and expressed the hope that this project would be completed.

The sons and daughters of the Ameyaw stool will continue to remain united and proud of what the late Omanhene sought to achieve for Techiman and will strive to rally behind the chiefs and people of Techiman, he added.

Major General Nii Carl Coleman of the Ghana Armed Forces Command and Staff College, said the late Omanhene was commissioned into the Ghana Armed Forces in 1969.

He said Osabarima Takyia Ameyaw served in various positions in the Ghana Armed Forces and United Nations (UN) and described him as a dedicated soldier who was admired by both his seniors and subordinates. The widow, Madam Rebecca Adwoa Amissa Frimpong, in her tribute said their marriage had been full of love, peace and submissiveness and hardly did they disagree on any issues for too long and expressed the hope that he was not dead but had taken the lead to heaven to be with his maker.

She prayed that with God's strength and with resilience, she would be able to get the children through to achievable levels that her late husband wished for them.

Nana Asa Ackompanin, Kyidomhene and Krobohene, who is also the Chairman of the funeral committee, appreciated the participation of all who gave their support towards the successful burial of the Omanhene. He thanked the government, Ghana Armed Forces, Political parties, the French Embassy, the former President, paramount chiefs from all the ten regions and the clergy for their support.