Asantehene formally announces mother’s death
The Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II has formally announced the death of the Asantehemaa (Queenmother of Asante Kingdom), Nana Afia Kobi Serwaa Ampem II.
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Graphic Online’s Kwadwo Baffoe Donkor reported from Kumasi that, Otumfuo Osei Tutu on Thursday November 17, 2016 officially informed a special session of the Kumasi Traditional Council about the passing of the queen, who was also his biological mother.
According to Donkor, this was done at the council’s usual meeting grounds at the palace.
Otumfuo told the chiefs that he was informed about the mother’s death just that morning, Monday November 14, 2016.
The chiefs in return, conveyed their condolences to the Asantehene and the Oyoko Royal family.
The traditional one week rites will be performed at the Manhyia Palace on Thursday November 24, 2016.
Consequently, in accordance with Asante custom, the council has placed a ban on all funerals, drumming and noise making throughout the Asante Kingdom until after the funeral of the Asantehemaa.
Notwithstanding the ban, families could bury their deceased relatives but would not be allowed to organise any funeral until the final funeral rites of the Asantehemaa, Donkor reported.
Nana Afia Kobi Serwaa Ampem II died last Monday night at the age of 111, after reigning for 39 years.
She died peacefully in her sleep.
She saw the reign of the late Otumfuo Opoku Ware II, as Asantehene who reigned from 1970 to 1999.
Read also: Afia Kobi Serwaa Ampem, queenmother of Asante dies at 111
Below is a copy of a press statement issued and signed by Mr Kofi Badu, Chief of Staff at Manhyia Palace officially announcing the death of the queenmother.
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