Thousands of mourners converged on Manhyia Palace in the Ashante Region yesterday to pay their last respects to the late Asantehemaa, Nana Konadu Yiadom III, as Asanteman begins four days of solemn burial rites for its revered 98-year-old queen mother.
The body of the Asantehemaa has been lying in state at the palace since yesterday morning, allowing the public to bid their final farewell in a ceremony steeped in strict Ashanti custom and tradition.
Following these ceremonies, she will be laid to rest on Thursday night at the Breman Royal Mausoleum (Ban mu).
The procession will make a stop at the Bantama Royal Mausoleum, where traditional rites will be performed, before proceeding to the final burial site.
The conclusion of the burial rites will be followed by the final funeral rites, which are expected to be held a year later, after the Asantehene has named a successor to the late queen mother.
Before burial, there will be a two-hour church service at Dwabrem of the Manhyia Palace.
Filing past
Filing past from yesterday to tomorrow begins from 5 a.m. to 5 p.m. while Otumfuo Osei Tutu sits in state within the same period from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Addressing the media on September 12, the Chairman of the Funeral Planning Committee, Nana Effah-Apenteng, said all Paramount Chiefs will be in attendance as Otumfuo sits in state throughout the rites.
On Thursday, the filing past will start from 5 a.m. to 11 a.m., with the burial service following afterwards at 3 p.m. at Dwabrem at the Manhyia Palace.
All mourners and visitors desirous of filing past the queen mother are expected to accord her respect and dignity per Ashanti custom. Females are, therefore, barred from wearing headgear and jewellery.
Yesterday, personalities and institutions such as churches, political parties, educational institutions, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), corporate institutions, all recognised associations, the clergy and members of the public were scheduled to grace the occasion.
Today, it will be the turn of the Judiciary, the Ghana Bar Association, the various security agencies, state-owned enterprises, public officials, financial institutions, and the public to participate in the event.
Wednesday
However, tomorrow has been reserved for ministers of state, diplomatic corps, Members of Parliament (MPs), Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs), non-Ashanti chiefs, mining companies, firms, and the public.
Climax
Thursday, the final day of the rites, will be graced by President John Dramani Mahama and Vice-President Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang, former Presidents John Agyekum Kufuor and Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, and former Vice-President, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, and his spouse, Samira Bawumia.
Also in attendance will be members of the diplomatic corps and the public.
As custom demands, the rites will be interspersed with drumming, dancing and musketry.
Various forms of drumming, such as atumpan, kete and fontomfrom, will accompany tunes to induce traditional dancing among mourners as the Asantehene acknowledges condolences from the dignitaries and other mourners.
Closure of schools, offices
In line with the funeral rites of the Asantehemaa, all educational institutions within the Kumasi metropolis are expected to be closed on Thursday, September 18, 2025, likewise all offices, including banks and other financial institutions.
Similarly, there will be no commercial activity in Kumasi, as all shops will remain closed.
Moment of silence
On Thursday night, in particular, all residents of Asanteman are required to remain indoors during the period the Asantehemaa will be laid to rest at the royal mausoleum at Breman in Kumasi.
As decreed by the Asantehene, Asanteman, especially the capital, Kumasi, will be dead silent in accordance with Asante custom and traditions.
The interment will climax the four-day ‘Dote Yie’ (burial rites) for the 14th Asantehemaa, who passed away at the age of 98.
Writer’s email: gilbert.agbey@graphic.com.gh.
