GRi Newsreel 22-03-99

Kumasi (Ashanti), 22 March

 Zongo communities in the Ashanti Region have expressed their profound sorrow at the death of Otumfuo Opoku Ware the second, Asantehene, and extended their condolence to Asanteman on the "great loss".

They observed that the late Asantehene was not only a caring and loving father to Asanteman but to Ghana and the entire world, and the impact of his absence will forever be felt by all. The condolence was expressed at an emergency meeting held by residents of zongo communities in the region in Kumasi yesterday. It was attended by Ulemaus and Imams, some northern tribal chiefs resident in the region, zongo youths and the regional chief imam, Alhaji Amadu Churoma.

Alhaji Abubakar Ali the third, Sarkin Zongo of Kumasi, acknowledged that the Zongo communities in particular will forever remember the late Asantehene, who they described as 'Father of all,' for the special concern he exhibited for sanity and development in the zongos.

The Sarkin Zongo noted that if peace and respect for various religious denominations currently prevail in the region, it was through the singular effort of the late Asantehene, who worked relentlessly to ensure that there was peaceful co-existence between people of different faiths.

Alhaji Ahmed, Fulani chief, recalled the initiative and peace-making role the late Asantehene played in bringing mutual understanding and peace among northern tribal chiefs in the Ashanti Region.

Kumasi (Ashanti), 22 March 

Togbe Dagadu, President of the Volta Region House of Chiefs, is to lead a delegation of chiefs from the Volta region on Wednesday, March 24, to the Manhyia Palace in Kumasi to mourn with Asanteman on the death of Otumfuo Opoku Ware the Second, Asantehene.

Heads of communities and people of Volta region descent resident in the Ashanti region will join the delegation. The Reverend S.K. Fugah, chairman of the Voltarian Co-ordinating Council (VCC), announced this at a forum of the VCC held at Amakom in Kumasi at the weekend to discuss their participation in the programme drawn by Asanteman for the burial of the late Asantehene.

Rev Fugah stated that their active involvement in the burial was crucial since the late Asantehene was a loving father to all, irrespective of background and origin.

He noted that that quality of the Asantehene made it possible for most Voltarians to comfortably settle down to establish productive enterprises in the Ashanti Region.

Rev Fugah acknowledged that the Asantehene's death had dealt a blow not only to Asanteman but the entire nation, adding that his role as peace-maker and loving father would forever remain with all and sundry.

Kumasi (Ashanti), 22 March 

Preparations for the laying-in-state and burial of the late Asantehene, Otumfuo Opoku Ware the Second, reached its climax on Sunday with the erection of canopies over a sea of chairs and the mounting of barriers at the main entrance to Manhyia Palace.

All buildings at the palace, where the body will be laid in state for the next four days, have been repainted to give the area a new look. Two giant portraits of the late Asantehene have been erected near the Manhyia Palace museum, in addition to two large billboards on the main road to the Palace, courtesy the State Transport Company (STC) and Ghana Breweries Limited (GBL). The billboards bear the photographs of the late Asantehene and the farewell greetings: "Damirifa due ne amanehunu".

A large army of police personnel, some armed, has been deployed at the palace to maintain peace.

Most of the paramount and divisional chiefs could not be seen at the Palace. They were apparently preparing in their palaces for the laying-in ceremony, which begins on midnight of Sunday.

A programme drawn up for the ceremony said the body will be laid in state at the executive lounge at Manhyia Palace where a "general wake-keeping" will be held throughout the night, and in attendance will be traditional drumming and singing groups.

The Anglican Bishop of Kumasi, the Right Reverend (Major) Sarfo, and other clerics will hold a short service, after which members of the royal family and others will keep wake at the bedside.

Kumasi (Ashanti), 22 March 

The Ghana News Agency (GNA) today presented 20 copies of a brochure entitled "Otumfuo in News" to the Kumasi Traditional Council and Asanteman Council on the occasion of the burial of Otumfuo Opoku Ware the second, Asantehene, in Kumasi.

The brochure recaptures the activities of Otumfuo during his 29 years' reign and some important pronouncements he made.

The presentation was made on behalf of the General Manager, Mr Sam Quaicoe, by the Ashanti Regional Manager of the GNA, Nana Appau Duah.

In a note accompanying the presentation, the General Manager said the brochure is GNA's "modest contribution to immortalise the illustrious King who served his kingdom and Ghana well".

The brochures were received by Nana Adu Agyei Bonsafo the second, Nsutahene, and Nana Baffour Hyiaman, Manwerehene. The Nsutahene thanked the GNA for its efforts to immortalise the late Otumfuo.

Those at the Manhyia Palace to make the presentation included Mr Boakye Dankwa Boadi and Mr Francis Kwarteng, both senior editors of GNA

Accra (Greater Accra), 22 March  

Mr Dan Markin, Chairman of the Democratic Peoples Party (DPP), on Sunday called on the media to refrain from publishing articles critical of persons seeking nomination to become the next Asantehene.

In a statement issued in Accra, Mr Markin referred to Nana Akwasi Agyemang, Municipal Chief Executive of Kumasi, as one such victim who has been singled out for vicious attacks by the media because of "his uncompromising stand to stamp out lawlessness in the area".

He noted that the death of the Asantehene, Otumfuo Opoku Ware the Second, which should serve as a unifying period for Ghanaians had rather become an opportunity for a section of the media to sow seeds of discord, disunity and unnecessary acrimony.

"The process of electing a new Asantehene is a solemn and sacred tradition and must not be conducted in the pages of the tabloids. The media should, therefore, respect the traditional values and customs of Asanteman by refraining from the current sensational press commentary".

Mr Markin said Nana Agyemang, as a royal, has demonstrated good leadership by helping his people to maintain a clean environment befitting the status of Kumasi.

"Efforts of people like him who are prepared to put the trappings of royalty aside and join their people in keeping the environment clean deserve commendation and not the condemnation we are reading in the papers."

Mr Markin described this action as sheer hypocrisy on the part of the media "which has constantly lampooned government for the excesses of the revolutionary days and even called for exorcising of the bitterness by establishing a truth and reconciliation commission".

He said the position of an Asantehene is one of the most important traditional titles in the country and requires that the kingmakers be left in absolute peace to decide on the successor.

Accra (Greater Accra), 22nd March 

A team of international journalists is to visit the country to see measures that Ghana has put in place to ensure a stable popuplation growth rate in future, Mr Moses Mokassa, Ghana Representative of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), said on Monday.

This, he said, has been made possible because Ghana's facilitators at the recent international conference on population held in The Hague, Netherlands, were able to present a true picture of what is happening in the country.

Mr Mokassa was speaking at a group discussion on Ghana's Country Report on Five Years' Implementation of the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) programme of Action and the Hague Forum at a day's seminar in Accra.

He said for Ghana to achieve its goal of population reduction, documented in Vision 2020, there is the need for the National Population Council (NPC) to create a data bank. It should monitor and evaluate the work of its implementing agencies and all Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) in the field of population activities.

Dr Richard Turkson, Executive Director of NPC Secretariat, called for drastic change in the situation where the developed world determines the prices of raw materials produced by developing countries.

This, he said, would ensure that developing countries generate enough resources for population activities and meet their target of population reduction.

Dr Turkson said donors pledged further assistance to programmes and activities aimed at reducing the growing population in Africa.

Governments of developing countries, on the other hand, realised the need to use funds carefully to enable them to sustain population activities in their countries.

Saltpond (Central Region), 22nd March 

All the five executive officers of the Saltpond branch of the Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU) (taxi locals) were returned unopposed at an election held at Saltpond on Saturday.

They are Mr Stephen E. Baiden, chairman; Mr Emmanuel E. Simpson, vice-chairman; and Mr K. Arthur, secretary, while Mr A. Acquah and Mr Samuel K. Addison were elected first and second trustees respectively.

Nkwabeng (Brong Ahafo), 22nd March 

Members of the youth wing of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) have been told to be wary of unscrupulous politicians who would use all possible means to win them to their side and to stand firm to mobilise more people for the party.

The Nkoranza constituency NDC youth organiser, Mr Kofi Adu, gave the advice when he addressed the members of the Nkwabeng youth wing of the party at a forum at Nkwabeng to discuss plans to revamp the youth wing structures in the constituency. He cautioned the members against violence and vandalism.

Ankokrom (Central Region)), 22nd March

 The Breman Essiam Emmanuel Methodist Church secured 30 points to win the annual singing competition organised by the Methodist church at the weekend.

Denkyira Ebenezer church took the second position with 25 points, Enyan Abaasa Freeman church was third with 20 points, followed by Enyan Nkodwo Ebenezer Methodist church with 14 points.

Assin Manso (Central Region) 22nd March 

A five-member executive of the Assin Manso local branch of the Ghana National Association of Teachers Ladies Association (GNATLAS) was at the weekend inaugurated by Mr Abraham K. Fokuo, District Chief Executive for Assin Fosu.

The officers are Miss Millicent Kuranchie, President, Miss Mary Amamoo, Vice-President, Miss Dora Wiafe, secretary, Miss Jane Ankomah, financial secretary, and Miss Apollomio Abouh, treasurer.

Otumfuo Opoku Ware the second, the Asantehene, was laid in state at midnight at the executive lounge of the Manhyia Palace in Kumasi.

The 80-year-old Asantehene died on Thursday, February 25, after occupying the Golden Stool for 29 years.

The laying in state was heralded by dirges, drumming by traditional groups amidst the booming of guns and the blowing of "mmenson".

The Anglican Church and various religious organisations in Kumasi held a short service.

People from all walks of life are on the grounds of Manhyia Palace paying their last respect to the 15th occupant of the Golden Stool and the 18th King of the Asantes.

As early as 5 a.m., long retinue of chiefs with their multi-coloured umbrellas and stool paraphernalia, streamed to the palace accompanied by drummers and weird-looking "Abrafo" (executioners) who clattered and brandished their traditional executioners sword.

The police have closed all access roads to the palace and have taken positions at vantage points allowing only vehicles with special car stickers entry to the palace.

Two billboards --one by the State Transport Company (STC) with the inscription "Otumfuo Opoku Ware Da Yie" and the other, by the Ghana Breweries Limited, bore the inscription "Asanteman Damirifa Due Ne Amane hunu" -- have been erected at the palace entrance.

A life-size portrait of the Asantehene has also been erected at the funeral grounds. Banners, all with the same message, "Damirifa Due" have been mounted in all parts of Kumasi by companies, organisations and individuals.

A police armoured vehicle mounted by six armed policemen and a police riot control vehicle have been positioned at the palace to beef up security.

Meanwhile, all shops and stalls have been closed with the streets of the commercial areas, deserted. Although no official holiday has been declared, all schools are empty, compelling the authorities to issue a statement that the period of mourning of the Asantehene should be considered as working days.

President Jerry John Rawlings has led a government delegation to pay their respect to the Asantehene.

President Rawlings dressed in a black Sheda "agbada", was led by Okyeame Boakye Yam, Asantehene's linguist.

He was met by Nana Akwasi Agyemang, Metropolitan Chief Executive and a royal of Asanteman, at the entrance of the executive lounge and led into the palace to pay his last respect.

The President was accompanied by his wife Nana Konadu, ministers, members of the Council of State, service commanders, executive members of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and other dignitaries.

Traditional horn blowers heralded the President's arrival to the Manhyia Palace with the blowing of "mmenson" (horns).

He exchanged greetings with the Asantehemaa, Nana Afua Kobi Serwaa Ampem, and paramount chiefs of Asante.

President Rawlings and his entourage then sat on a dais erected at the funeral grounds in front of the Manhyia Palace.

The umbrellas of the paramount chiefs, in various colours, formed a canopy, which was a delight to watch. Chiefs and their subjects clad in mourning clothes sat below the dais.

Baffour Kwaku Amoateng the third, Jachiehene and linguist to the late Asantehene, led Baffour Awuah the fifth, Bantamahene, on behalf of the Kumasi Traditional Council (KTC) to return greetings of President Rawlings and his entourage.

Nana Osei Bonsu the second, Mamponghene and Nwisiahene (chief of orphans), did the same thing on behalf of Asanteman.

Daasebre Dr Oti Boateng, New Juabenhene, and Nana Otuo Serebour the second, Juabenhene, also returned greetings of the delegation to the Asanteman stool elders.

Baffour Amoateng, on behalf of the royal family and Asanteman, presented two cartons of Schnapps and two bottles each of dry gin and whisky as customary drinks to welcome the delegation to the funeral.

Nana Kwame Akuoko-Sarpong, Agogohene and Presidential Staffer on Chieftaincy Affairs, on behalf of the delegation, accepted the drinks and thanked them.

On behalf of the government delegation, Nana Akuoko-Sarpong presented 10 cartons each of beer and Guinness stout, 10 crates of soft drinks and two bottles each of dry gin and whisky, in addition to two cartons of Schnapps.

Kumasi (Ashanti), 22 March

Nana Afua Kobi Serwaa Ampem the second, Asantehemaa, today paid her last respect to Otumfuo Opoku Ware the second, the Asantehene.

The Asantehemaa, with her retinue, paid her last respect just before the arrival of President Rawlings and his entourage.

The Asantehemaa came away from the executive lounge where Otumfuo's body, clad in a rich kente cloth and adorned with gold ornaments, lies in state, amidst drumming, horn blowing and shedding of tears.

Meanwhile, chiefs and their followers sat in a state of mourning at the forecourt of the executive lounge.

Kumasi (Ashanti), 22nd March

The Asante Youth Association (AYA) has described the late Otumfuo Opoku Ware the second, the Asantehene, as the custodian and embodiment of the rich Asante culture and aspirations.

The AYA said his good deeds would be cherished and written in letters of gold for posterity.

This was contained in a tribute to the Asantehene by AYA, signed by its President, Mr Yaw Atta-Poku, in Kumasi.

The tribute said Otumfuo Opoku Ware would be immortalised with nostalgia by the youth of Asante, adding that his gentility will be emulated by the youth.

It said the Asantehene was a "humble giant", for though "he had all powers that could be used for anything he wished for", he used his powers for the good of all.

The AYA said the strongest feature in his character was prudence, as he never acted until every circumstance or consideration had been maturely weighed "His integrity was most pure and his justice most flexible", the association said.

"He was indeed in every sense of the word a wise, good and great man", the tribute said.

AYA hoped his spirit would guide the elders of Asanteman in their selection of a successor.

Kumasi (Ashanti), 22nd March

Economic activities in Kumasi have been brought to a virtual standstill as the late Asantehene,Otumfuo Opoku Ware the second, is laid in state at the Manhyia Palace, the seat of the Asante kingdom.

There is no trading activity in the Kejetia and the central market, the hub of trading activities in the metropolis. These markets have been deserted.

Most stores at the central business areas including Adum, Ash-Town and the Roman Hill remain closed.

Although the period of the late Otumfuo's funeral has not been officially declared a holiday, both teachers and pupils in basic schools have stayed away from classes.

The late Asantehene who died on February 25, would remain in state for four days after which he would be buried at the Breman royal mausoleum on Thursday, March 25.