Akropong goes red to mourn Okuapehene
Beginning today, the dominant colour that will be seen on the entire Akuapem Ridge, particularly the seat of the Akuapem Traditional Area, Akropong, will be red, with some black as well.
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This is because from today, the Akuapem State begins seven days of mourning for Oseadeeyo Addo Dankwa III, the Okuapehene, who passed on at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital in July last year.
The purely traditional mourning will require indigenes of Akuapem, as well as guests, to refrain from adorning themselves with any jewellery, including earrings, bracelets and necklaces, as well as putting on gay clothes, during the solemn period.
According to the Funeral Planning Committee, sympathisers and guests would have to be clad in either black or red, while those filing past the body of the late chief must remove their sandals or footwear.
The public is also forbidden from taking photographs of the chief’s body as it lies in state.
There is also a ban on all forms of noise-making till the funeral ends, with drinking bar operators being asked to close by 11 p.m. each day.
Further, the firing of guns and muskets in the Akuapem Traditional Area within the period has been limited to only people identified by the Akuapem Traditional Council and granted permit by the police.
Funeral rites
The funeral activities will begin with the body of the late Paramount Chief of Akuapem lying in state of from Tuesday, February 2, to Saturday, February 6, when a burial service will take place at the Christ Presbyterian Church in Akropong, to be followed by funeral rites on the Presbyterian University College Park (Salem), also in Akropong.
There will also be a thanksgiving service on Sunday, February 7 and final burial rites on Monday, February 8 at the forecourt of the Okuapehene’s Palace in Akropong.
The funeral of the late king, who left behind a wife, Mrs Gloria Ayebea Djan, and five children, is a big event that is likely to have high-profile guests, including President John Mahama and former Presidents J.J. Rawlings and J.A. Kufuor, attending to pay their last respects to the late Omanhene.
Leaders of the various political parties will also pay their last respect.
Biography of the late king
Oseadeeyo Addo Dankwa was installed as the Paramount Chief of the Akuapem Traditional Area in 1974 at the age of 44 and reigned continuously for 41 years.
He is reputed to be the longest reigning Okuapehene since the formation of the Akuapem State.
Before being called by the ancestors, Oseadeeyo Addo Dankwa became the President of the Akuapem Traditional Council, a position he occupied from 1974 till his demise.
He was also a member of the Eastern Regional House of Chiefs from 1975 and member of the National House of Chiefs from 1990 till he passed on.
He was also a member of the Research Committee and Chairman of the Publicity Committee of the National
