Royal burial: Asantehemaa Nana Konadu Yiadom III interred at Breman Mausoleum

After four days of mourning, characterised by cultural practices and rituals, Asanteman yesterday bid farewell to the Asantehemaa, Nana Konadu Yiadom III, in the quiet of the night and away from the eyes of the public.

The journey to the Breman Royal Mausoleum (Ban mu) in Kumasi, the hallowed burial place of Ashanti royals, began just before dusk as pallbearers lifted the remains of the Asantehemaa and led a long procession of relevant elders of Ashanti and members of the royal family to her final resting place.

Her remains, however, made a brief pause at the Bantama Royal Mausoleum for the final traditional burial rites.

It was the final act of the burial process, which began last Monday, as the  nation, led by President John Dramani Mahama and other dignitaries, including former Presidents J. A. Kufuor and Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, mourned with the royal family.

The Chief of Staff, Julius Debrah; Council of State member, Betty Mould-Iddrisu; Ashanti Regional Minister, Dr Frank Amoakohene; former Vice-President, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, and his wife, Samira Bawumia, and former First Lady, Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings, were also in attendance.

There was also a large delegation from the diplomatic community made up of representatives from France, Canada, Peru, Barbados, the United Kingdom, Suriname and Sierra Leone, among others.

It was also attended by traditional rulers from various parts of the country, politicians, public office holders, corporate executives, civil society officials, and people from all walks of life.

As night drew nearer on the Garden City of Kumasi, quietness fell on the deserted streets in general obedience to traditional demand.

As decreed by Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, Asanteman, particularly the capital, Kumasi, was dead silent in accordance with Ashanti custom and traditions, paving the way for the procession to the graveside.

Final march

The sacred environment of the Bantama Mausoleum is the burial place of some Ashanti chiefs and queenmothers, and traditional beliefs dictate that the Asantehemaa had to meet and interact with the spirits of the departed royals before moving to her final resting place at Breman.

President John Dramani Mahama (right), exchanging pleasantries with Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, the Asantehene, during the burial service of the late Asantehemaa, Nana Konadu Yiadom III, at the Manhyia Palace in Kumasi. Picture: EMMANUEL BAAH

The departure of the body from the Manhyia Palace was preceded by a three-hour church service by the Anglican Church.

The Ghana Armed Forces then gave the late Asantehemaa military honours with the Last Post.

Afterwards, the casket containing the remains was carried by military pallbearers into a military vehicle.

It was taken back to the Asantehemaa’s Palace at 5:40 p.m.,  followed closely by the Asantehene, amid the appropriate rites and cultural practices.

Crowd

Throughout yesterday, a large crowd of mourners from far and near thronged the Dwabrem of the Manhyia Palace to pay their last respects to the Asantehemaa, satisfy their curiosity with a rich display of culture and bid her farewell as well.

Pallbearers being accompanied by other mourners to the late Asantehemaa’s final resting place. Picture EMMANUEL BAAH

Thousands of mourners, clad in black and other mourning outfits, congregated at the durbar grounds of the palace – Dwabrem – where the burial service was held for the 14th Asantehemaa.

The solemn service attracted many dignitaries, including a large number of the clergy.

There was a large representation from the Anglican Church, led by the Archbishop of the International Province of Ghana, the Most Rev. Dr Cyril Kobina Ben-Smith, the denomination to which the Ashanti monarch belonged; the Methodist Church, Ghana; the Catholic Church and the Saviour Church of Ghana, where the Asantehemaa fellowshipped until her demise, among others.

Church service

The Asantehene, who had earlier sat in state at Dwabrem from around 12:45 p.m. to receive commiserations from the dignitaries, left the grounds around 2:30 p.m. to perform traditional rites around where the Asantehemaa had lain in state before the remains were moved to Dwabrem for the burial service.

Afterwards, Otumfuo Osei Tutu, sitting in a palanquin, escorted the remains of the Asantehemaa and handed them over to the Anglican Church for the service to start around 3:10 p.m.

Tributes

The Saviour Church of Ghana, in a tribute, said for the past six decades, the Asantehemaa worked faithfully with her Maker by keeping the commandments, honouring the Sabbath and serving the Lord with joy and reverence.

The church described her as an unfailing counsellor, a true philanthropist, a peacemaker whose objective and kind-hearted nature sealed any discord, saying “your wise interventions resolved misunderstandings and your generous contributions held us together when challenges threatened to destroy us as a church”.

President

President Mahama said the Asantehemaa was without doubt a majestic pillar of strength and inspiration, not only to the Asantehene and the Manhyia Palace, but the entire nation.

He indicated that throughout the eight-year reign of Nana Konadu Yiadom, she embodied the essence of Asante values, maintaining tradition with steadfast dedication and projecting an image of dignity and grace.

“Her wise counsel and astute guidance were invaluable, as well as her devotion to service and commitment to the welfare of all people were truly unmatched,” he said.

Otumfuo

For his part, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, said her late elder sister was not only the Asantehemaa in title but was truly the mother of the kingdom and the one whose calm and measured presence held the delicate threads of their family lineage and tradition together.

He said her reign as Asantehemaa was marked by dignity, humility and service as she sat in majesty yet never placed herself above the people and added that she was the voice of women in the markets, the comfort of widows, the guardian of orphans and the reconciler of families in dispute.

Sermon

Delivering the sermon, a former Chairman of the National Peace Council, the Most Rev. Professor Emmanuel Asante, acknowledged the Asantehemaa’s dedicated service to Asanteman, both as a royal of the golden stool and the queen mother of the kingdom.

Similarly, he acknowledged her faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, her enduring spirit and vision, as well as her commitment to serving God diligently as a member of the Saviour Church of Ghana.

Quoting from Ecclesiastics, Most Rev. Prof. Asante reminded the people that inasmuch as they continued to enjoy life with all its splendour and love, it hardly exempted them from committing their lives to the Lord and obeying His commandments.

Purpose

“Let us search for purpose and meaning in life, while being mindful that the true meaning of life cannot be found in human endeavour devoid of God”, he said.

He further urged the people to acknowledge the vanity of life’s experience and maintain a positive attitude and strong faith in God.

Most Rev. Prof. Asante underscored the importance of the chieftaincy institution as it had what it took “to bind us together in a bond of love and peaceful co-existence”, adding that the cultural, political and religious unity exhibited in mourning the Asantehemaa should continue to unite Ghanaians towards national development.

Writer’s email: gilbert.agbey@graphic.com.gh