Sunyani Traditional Council begins funeral of Queenmother

Sunyani, the Bono Regional capital is in a state of mourning, as the Sunyani Traditional Council yesterday began the five-day funeral rites of the Sunyanimanhemaa, Nana Nyamaa Puduo II, who died on August 1, 2019.

The dominant colour in the municipality is black, following a directive by the council for residents to show their respects to the late queen mother, who was laid in state yesterday morning.

Even though the burial of the late queen mother is scheduled for tomorrow, when businesses are required to close entirely, shop owners and street side vendors decided to stay away from their shops yesterday.

Basic and senior high schools, including private ones, in the Sunyani municipality, have been directed by the Ghana Education Service (GES) to close for today and tomorrow.

Funeral posters of the Omanhemaa have been posted on electricity poles, trees, and other structures, while some major spots, such as roundabouts, are also decked in black and red ribbons to depict the solemn mood.

Drumming, the blowing of horns and the singing of dirges, amidst incessant wailing by women, filled the air when a retinue of chiefs and their followers made their way to the Sunyani Palace (Boahen Korkor Fie), where the queen mother’ body was laid in state yesterday.

Traditional executioners (Abrafoo) are parading streets in the municipality to ensure residents comply with the elaborate funeral programme laid out for the queen mother.

Funeral rites

The body of the late queenmother will lie in state until tomorrow, when a burial mass will be conducted at the Christ the King Cathedral.

During that period, mourners and sympathisers from all walks of life, including former Presidents, government officials, politicians, heads of institutions, chiefs, queenmothers and the public are expected to visit the Boahen Korkor Fie to sympathise with the chiefs and the people of the Sunyani Traditional Area.

The death of Nana Nyamaa II, 64, was formally announced on September 13, 2019.

She reigned for 46 years, having been enstooled in 1973, at the age of 18.

Investigations

In a related development, the Bono Regional Police Commander, DCOP Godfred Owusu-Boateng, has directed that investigations be conducted into the alleged assault of a private security man by officials of the Motor Traffic and Transport Department (MTTD) for allegedly violating a road traffic regulation in Sunyani.

The victim, who was beaten mercilessly by the police, is said to have jumped a road block mounted by the MTTD to pave the way for some mourners of the late Sunyanimanhemaa.

A press statement signed by the Bono Regional Crime Officer, Chief Superintendent Nana Kwaku Duah, however, said the victim was not a policeman, as alleged.