Asantehemaa’s funeral: Kumasi schools, offices to close on September 18
All educational institutions within the Kumasi metropolis are expected to be closed on Thursday, September 18, 2025, in line with the funeral rites of the late Asantehemaa, Nana Konadu Yiadom III.
On Thursday night, all residents of Asanteman are required to remain indoors, at the time the late Asantehemaa, Nana Konadu Yiadom III, will be laid to rest at the royal mausoleum at Breman in Kumasi.
As decreed by the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, Asanteman, especially the capital, Kumasi, will fall silent in accordance with Asante customs and traditions.
The interment will conclude four days of a Dote Yie (burial rites) for the 14th Asantehemaa, who passed away at the age of 98.
Similarly, all offices, including banks and other financial institutions, are to be closed on Thursday.
Also, there will be no commercial activity within Kumasi as all shops are to be closed as well.
These were contained in an elaborate programme announced by the Chairman of the Funeral Planning Committee, Ambassador Nana Effah Appenteng, at a media briefing on Friday, September 12, 2025, ahead of the four-day funeral rites of the late queenmother.
The funeral rites will begin on Monday, September 14, and end on Thursday, September 18, 2025.
Filing past from Monday to Wednesday begins from 5am to 5pm each day while Otumfuo Osei Tutu will also sit in state within the same period from 12pm-5pm.
Specifically on Thursday, September 18, the filing past will start at 5am and end at 11am with the burial service following afterwards at Dwabrem at the Manhyia Palace.
All mourners and visitors desirous of filing past the queenmother are expected to accord her the needed respect and dignity, while females are barred from wearing headgear and jewellery.
Monday
On Monday, September 15, 2025, institutions and personalities such as churches, clergy, political parties, educational institutions, Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs), corporate institutions, all recognised associations and members of the general public are expected to grace the occasion.
Tuesday
On Tuesday, the Judiciary, Ghana Bar Association, the various security agencies, state-owned enterprises and public officials, financial institutions and the general public will be in attendance.
Wednesday
Wednesday has been reserved for ministers of state, diplomatic corps, parliamentarians, metropolitan, municipal, and district chief executives, non-Ashanti chiefs, mining companies and firms, and the general public.
Thursday
Thursday will be the final day for the funeral rites for the Asantehemaa and will be graced by President John Dramani Mahama and his Vice, Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang, former Presidents John Agyekum Kufuor and Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, former Vice President, Dr Mahamudu Bawuima and his spouse, Samira Bawumia.
Also in attendance will be members of the diplomatic corps and the general public.
Caution
the Chairman of the Funeral Planning Committee, Ambassador Nana Effah Appenteng at the media briefing advised that people to stay indoors throughout the night on Thursday, September 18 at a time the late Asantehemaa will be transported to the Bantama Mausolem (Ban mu) then to Breman Mausoleum for burial.
Similarly, he cautioned mourners against taking photographs while filing past the Asantehemaa as such act would be against the custom and tradition of Asanteman, saying “we urge everyone to abide by the rules governing the rites in honour of the Asantehemaa”.
Also, he warned that whoever will be caught defying the directive by taking videos and pictures of the Asantehemaa will be dealt with severely.
Accreditation
Further, he entreated the media to get their accreditation tags to enable them to have easy access to designated places and further warned that unaccredited media practitioners will not be entertained at certain sections at the grounds.
Nana Effah Appenteng, who is also the Paramount Chief of the Bompata Traditional Area, announced that large screens will be mounted at strategic locations within the Palace to enable everyone to catch a glimpse of the event and to prevent mourners from loitering about at the venue.
Writer’s email: gilbert.agbey@graphic.com.gh.
