GRi Newsreel 25-03-99

BY EDMUND QUAYNOR

 The whole of the Akyem Abuakwa Traditional Area was thrown into a state of mourning last Saturday when the 'Atumpan' drums in the Ofori Panin Fie, the Palace of Okyenhene at Kibi sounded to formally announce the death of Osagyefuo Kuntunkununku II, Okyenhene and President of the National House of Chiefs. Even as the Atumpan drums sounded in the court yard of the palace, the acting President and Adontenhene of the Akyem Abuakwa Traditional Council Osabarima Kene Ampaw was announcing the death of the Okyenhene to the Akyem Abuakwa Traditional Council at a meeting at the Great Hall of the Palace.

As soon as the Atumpan drums sounded, female members of the Royal family who had gathered at the inner court of the palace and those at the Traditional Council meeting started wailing. After several appeals to those at the meeting to control their emotions failed, some of them were escorted out of the meeting hall to enable the meeting to continue.

In accordance with customary practice, Osabarima Ampaw presented six rams and 12 cartons of schnapps for customary rites. The Okyenhene turned his face to the wall in the dawn of Wednesday, March 17 this year at the 37 military hospital after a short illness at the age of 57. He was the 34th occupant of the Ofori Panin Stool and ruled for 23 years.

He left behind a wife and six children from three previous marriages. The first two children were born before his enstoolment on August 2, 1976. The other four children including a set of twins were delivered during the 23 years rule of the departed occupant of the Ofori Panin stool.

The late Okyenhene was known in private life as Dr. Alexander Kwadwo Fredua Agyeman. After his primary and secondary education in Ghana, he went to Sofia University in Bulgaria and Charles University in Prague, former Czechoslovakia where he studied medicine graduating in 1970 Osagyefuo Kuntunkununku who succeeded his illustrious uncle, Nana Sir Ofori Atta II in 1975 was elected President of the National House Chiefs late 1998, a position which gained him automatic membership of the Council of State. He was for two terms,

President of the Eastern regional House of chiefs and member of the Region's Co-ordinating Council.

The reign of the late Okyenhene witnessed an increase in the number of educational institutions in the Akyem Abuakwa Traditional Area. The Atiwa constituency of the traditional council which hitherto had no second cycle institution saw the establishment of the Kwabeng Anglican Senior Secondary School, Akyem Sekyere S.D.A. Senior Secondary School and the Anyinam Saint Paul=92s Vocational Institute.

The Abuakwa Constituency also saw the establishment of the Akyem Asafo Senior Secondary School, Kyebi Technical Institute and the Kyebi Vocational among others.

Economic activity was also enhanced with the establishment of numerous gold mines in the traditional area during the reign of the Osagyefuo.

The late Okyenhene never took kindly to the environmental problem created by the gold mines. In 1995, he visited the Kwabeng Goldenray Mining Company to ascertain for himself complains of the people of Kwabeng and surrounding villages about the pollution of water bodies in the area as a result of the surface gold mining of the company.

The Osagyefuo would forever be remembered for his elevation of a number of Odikros (care takers) to Paramountcies late last year. Unconfirmed sources have it that if the late Okyenhene had stayed longer, he would have elevated more of the Divisional chiefs in the traditional area to Paramount status and enhance his position as a King or over-Lord of Akyem Abuakwa.

Kumasi (Ashanti Region) 25 March 

The Akwamuhene, Otumfuo Ansah Sasraku the sixth, in the Eastern region, traditionally the "wife" of the Asantehene, yesterday performed his "widowhood" rites at Manhyia Palace in Kumasi. The Akwamuhene entered the palace with grass in his mouth to signify that he was in a state of mourning and would neither drink nor eat.

According to Nana Aku-Brakatu Brempong the second, Akwamu Gyaasehene, the tradition dates back to the 18th century, when the first Asante King, Osei Tutu, who had his traditional tuition in the court of the Akwamuhene, married an Akwamu woman before he became King. Ever since, Nana Aku-Brakatu Brempong said, the ties have existed between Asante Kings and Akwamus.

Other paramount chiefs who paid their last respects include Okuapemhene Oseadeyo Addo Dankwa, Denkyirahene Odeefuo Boa Amponsem and a delegation from Okyeman, led by Osabarima Agyemang, Nifahene of Akim Abuakwa.

Others are Nandom-Na Puobi Chiri, vice-President of the National House of Chiefs, Paga-Pio Pe Awampa, President of the Upper East Regional House of Chiefs, Togbe Nyaho Tamakloe the fourth, acting President of the Anlo Traditional Council.

Odeneho Gyapong Ababio, President of the Western Regional House of Chiefs and a member of the Council of State, accompanied by Mrs Esther Lily Nkansah, Western Regional Minister, and Lieutenant-Colonel Kaku Korsah, Shama/Ahanta East Metropolitan Chief Executive, also paid their last respects to the departed King.

The Western Region delegation donated three cartons of Guinness, three crates of minerals, one carton of schnapps and one million cedis cash to Asanteman.

The Dagbon Traditional Council was represented by the Banvim-Lana, Mohammed Abdulai, while the Bimbilla-Na was represented by the Nakpa- Na Salifu Dawuni.

The Banvim-Lana said the Dagbon state regarded the Asantehene as a Ya-Na and have therefore brought all the things used in burying a Ya-Na for the burial of the Asantehene..

He said they were coming with 36 guns to give the Asantehene a "real burial", but the guns were taken away from them by the police at Yapei in view of the ban on arms and ammunition in the Northern Region.

The Banvim-Lana said the Ya-Na hopes that the successor to the throne will be humble like Otumfuo Opoku Ware, so that the long-standing relationship that has existed between Dagbon and Asante will continue.

A delegation from the Ashanti Regional Directorate of Education, district directors, headmasters, principals of training colleges and technical institutions also paid their last respects to the Asantehene.

Diplomats pay respects to Asantehene:

Mr Ibrahim Khalil Omar, Ambassador of the State of Palestine and dean of the Diplomatic Corps in Ghana, led 37 members of the corps to pay their last respects to the late Otumfuo Opoku Ware the second.

All of them later signed the book of condolence at the palace museum.

Mr Omar, in a tribute, said the late Asantehene was a strong symbol of unity, peace and security, representing the leadership of a progressively rich culture, not only for the people of Asante but the entire nation of Ghana.

"He played an important role in bringing peace and stability to Ghana", he said.

His Grace Andre Dupuy, Apostolic Pro-Nuncio, representing the Vatican in Ghana, said the late Asantehene was a wise, able and competent ruler, an eminent statesman and a person who sought to bring about reconciliation and harmony among his own people and with the whole human family".

"In him the nation of Ghana has lost an outstanding political leader and an ardent promoter of peace and justice", he said.

He said the Asantehene's judicious and humane exercise of authority provides great inspiration for government leaders and becomes an excellent model for imitation.

"I mourn with the Asante people and the nation of Ghana and offer my prayers on behalf of the Pope".

The Diplomatic Corps later exchanged greetings with the Mamponghene, Nana Osei Bonsu and the Asantehemaa, Nana Afua Kobi Serwaa Ampem.

Mourners in long winding queues could not pay their last respects to the late Otumfuo Opoku Ware the second, Asantehene by 1800 hours yesterday, the official deadline, and had to return home disappointed.

Every part of the Manhyia grounds was occupied by a mass of mourners, clad in black cloth.

Security men arrested a number of pick-pockets at the funeral grounds.

A 13-member Togolese government delegation sent by President Gnassingbe Eyadema yesterday paid its last respects to the late Asantehene, Otumfuo Opoku Ware the Second, at Manhyia.

The delegation was led by Mr Dahuku Pere, Speaker of the Togolese Parliament, and included Mr Assiongbor Folivi, Togolese Ambassador in Ghana and Parliamentarians.

A government delegation from Cote D'Ivoire, as well as the family of President Konan Bedie, are also expected in Kumasi today, Thursday, March 25, to pay their last respects to theAsantehene.

Mr Herbert Mensah, Executive Chairman of Kumasi Asante Kotoko Football Club, has led the management, playing body and technical men to pay their last respects to the late Asantehene, Otumfuo Opoku Ware the second, the life patron and spiritual head of the club.

They had a hectic time entering the main gates of the palace. Coach Ebo Mends had a confrontation with the police personnel, who were maintaining order, and he was heckled. Mr Mensah had to apologise on his behalf before he was released.

Some of the players, who could not have access through the main gates scaled over the wall into the palace. Mr Jarvis Peprah, a director of Kotoko who also tried to scale over the wall, had to be assisted by the police.

Newly signed South African player, Lawrence Khumalo who managed to enter the palace, was seen exhausted and gasping for breath.

After they had filed past the corpse, which is being guarded by sword bearers and the members of the bereaved family, Mr Mensah signed the book of condolence at the Manhyia Palace Museum.

Medical Association pays tribute to Asantehene:

A delegation of the Ghana Medical Association (GMA) led by its President, Dr J.K.Kwakye-Marfo, has paid its last respects to the late Asantehene, Otumfuo Opoku Ware the second.

In a tribute, Dr Kwakye-Marfo said the late Asante king stood for peace and unity.

Otumfuo Opoku Ware was always ready to support doctors and nurses in Ashanti and played a leading role in securing land for the expansion of the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH), he said.

The GMA delegation was accompanied by representatives of the Ghana Registered Nurses Association (GRNA).

Kumasi (Ashanti Region) 25 March

More institutions and organisations have made handsome donations to the Asanteman Council towards the funeral of Otumfuo Opoku Ware the second, the late Asantehene.

Among the latest to donate both cash and in kind to the Council are the Agricultural Development Bank (ADB), D and C Industries Limited and the Volta Regional House of Chiefs.

The ADB, led by Mr Edward Boakye-Agyeman, General Manager (Administration), presented five million cedis, two cartons of schnapps, six cartons of canned Guinness and a carton of canned Amstel. D and C Industries made available to the Asanteman one million cedis, 25 crates of Schweppes and a carton of schnapps. Mr John Kofi Sackey, Transport Manager of D. & C. presented the donation on behalf of the company.

The Volta Regional House of Chiefs also donated one million cedis, one fat white ram and two live doves, symbolising peace between the peoples of Ashanti and the Volta Region. Togbe Dagadu the seventh, President of the Volta Regional House of Chiefs, led a delegation of the House to make the presentation.

All the donations were received on behalf of the Council by Nana Osei Bonsu the second, Omanhene of Mampong and the Nwisiahene, who thanked the donors for their support.

Yesterday being the eve of the burial, close relations to the late Asantehene, such as in-laws, made presentations called "adesiedee" to the King.

They consist of whole pieces of cloth or kente cloth, silk handkerchiefs, blankets of camel hair, pillow with silk of brocade cover and a small collection of gold dust tied to a handkerchief. Some of these items are put in the coffin to be taken away to the land of the ancestors.

A bit of the cloth is torn off and passed over to the Sanaahene (Treasurer) and Deboasohene, who would account for them later.

Before the corpse is put in the coffin, prayers are offered by the Akyeamehene (Chief Linquist), who expresses the nation'sgratitude for the King's peaceful reign and wishes him easy passage to the other world. This short ceremony is called "musuyiedee" and is aimed at removing all bad omens within Asanteman and the nation.

The swearing of oath of fidelity to the dead King is the next, beginning with chiefs of the Kumasi Traditional Council (KTC), followed immediately by the paramount chiefs (Amanhene) and Abrempong.

During the swearing-in ceremony, the chiefs assure the deceased King that if he had not died a natural death but had fallen a victim on the battle field, they would have avenged his death.

The procedure for the swearing-in ceremony is that each chief, with his "kuntunkuni" around his waist, walks slowly and mournfully under a small black umbrella towards other seated chiefs

When he gets close to the corpse lying-in-state, he stops, the umbrella closes, and the state sword is handed over to him. He then points to the corpse of the late King and swears the great oath of Asante.

When the oath swearing ceremony is over, the Asokwafo lift the coffin for burial at the Banpanase Mausoleum, one of the historical wards of Kumasi.

The corpse is laid in state again at Banpanase Baamu for a year "to dry", that is, to allow all fluids in the system to drain out.

Traditionally the place is called "Asonee" and it is the Asante equivalent of embalming dead Kings.

Tema (Greater Accra), 25 March 

The Tema East constituency of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) said yesterday that the party is now firmly rooted in the constituency usually described as the base of the Reform Movement.(RM).

Mr Mashood Mumuni, the NDC constituency chairman, said "we have killed the Reform Movement in Tema East, and we are rebuilding the NDC to recapture the parliamentary seat from the opposition".

Mr Mumuni told reporters that the NDC in the constituency, is no longer part of the Reform Movement. He said cadres who deserted the party in the wake of the formation of the RM are now coming back in their numbers.

He therefore called on those still flirting with the break-away reform group to "return home."

Mr Mumuni said the party is drawing up a programme to re-organise all cell wards and branches to enable them improve upon the results of the last elections even though the NDC won the presidential elections in the constituency. Mr Mumuni also congratulated the first lady, Nana Konadu Agyeman Rawlings for showing concern for the party's activities in the constituency.

Adenta (Greater Accra), 25 March 

The Tema Municipal Assembly (TMA) and the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) have now teamed up to control unauthorised developments along their common border.

The TMA and the AMA will ensure that all public lands will be protected while buildings erected without permits will be pulled down to show developers that there are laws governing constructional works in the country.

Nii Armah Ashietey, Tema Municipal Chief Executive, and Mr Addoquaye Addo, AMA Chief Executive, gave the warning when the two of them and other officials from the Town and Country Planning Department inspected some unauthorised development along their common border.

The places include Nungua, Baatsonaa, Adenta and Otinshie where developers have either encroached on public or institutional lands or were using certain areas as refuse dumps or as toilets.

Nii Ashietey noted that the TMA has not been able to take action in certain areas because the residents have challenged the TMA that it has no jurisdiction over them.

A typical example is a football park near the Nungua police barrier where half of the pitch has been converted into a refuse dump and toilet. At Baatsonaa, an area meant for a lorry park, market and shopping centre to ease the congestion in Accra Central is being developed into residential houses.

Mr Addo explained that even though certain plots of land have not been properly acquired by the government, the owners have no right to sell the plots to individuals to change the planning schemes of the areas.

Kpando (Volta Region), 25 March 

A driver's mate was killed last week at Kpando when he was hit on the head by a stone thrown by a mad woman at Kpando Taxi park.

Mr E.K. Nugbemado, Deputy Superintendent of Police in charge of Kpando, said the victim, Samuel Kwame Fiagbedzi, died two days after the incident. He said the mad woman, known as Abuya, had removed a stick which the driver's mate had used to support the boot of their vehicle.

The mate collected the stick from her and was walking away when Abuya threw a stone that hit the back of his head and sent him to the ground while he bled profusely.

Fiagbedzi was rushed to the Margret Marquart Catholic Hospital where he was treated and discharged but complained of severe body pains on the second day and was rushed to the Saint Patrick Hospital, Kpando, where he died soon after admission.

Police said the mad woman has disappeared while the body of Fiagbedzi has been deposited at the Margret Marquart Hospital Mortuary.

Accra (Greater Accra), 25 March

Alhaji Issifu Ali, co-chairman of the NDC, on Wednesday predicted victory for the party in the bye-election in Ablekuma Central constituency on Friday, March 26.

Addressing a rally in the constituency, Alhaji Ali urged the people to vote the party's parliamentary candidate, Alhaji Ishmaila Bawa to strengthen the party's majority in Parliament.

Alhaji Ali said "after we have defeated them, they will see the strength of the NDC."

He said the NDC has proved that it has the answers and solutions to the problems facing the country and has not been discriminatory in its development projects.

Alhaji Huudu Yahaya, General Secretary of the party, asked the electorate to forge ahead in unity and vote massively for the NDC candidate.

He said the Progressive Alliance of the Egle and the Democratic Peoples Party (DPP) and the former independent candidate in the 1996 election have all given their support to the NDC candidate.

The Deputy Minister of Education, Dr. Mohammed Ibn Chambas, urged them not to "throw away their own child whose good works in the past is well known to them."

Alhaji Mohammed Mumuni, Minister of Employment and Social Welfare, told the rally to vote for the NDC to continue with the laudable work that it had started.

Miss Shirley Ayitey, a vice chairman of the party, said with the nation becoming the gateway to West Africa, plans are afoot to expand the Tema and Takoradi ports and all airports in the country to handle increased imports and exports and create many job opportunities.

Kpando (Volta Region), 25 March - Luck rans out for a convict who escaped from prison when he was caught searching the pockets of accident victims on the Kpong-Juapong road, a circuit court at Kpando was told on Wednesday.

Police Chief Inspector E.R.K Klu said Richard Koblah Beheba, 34, escaped from Kpando Prison in November last year where he was serving a prison term for stealing.

He pleaded guilty to escaping from lawful custody and has been placed in custody at the Kpando Prison.

The court presided over by Mr Robin Batu adjourned to April Six when it will pass sentence.

Inspector Klu said on February Six, a vehicle on which the escapee was travelling was the first to arrive at the scene of a motor accident.

While the passengers were helping the accident victims, Beheba was searching the pockets of corpses.

Chief Inspector Klu said a prison officer, Second Class officer Fred Ago Norman who was among those helping the victims, saw Beheba searching the pockets of corpses and slapped him.

He then realised that it was Behebah whom the prison authorities were looking for.

The escapee was arrested by the prison officer with the assistance of a policeman.

Accra (Greater Accra), 25 March

The New patriotic Party (NPP) on Thursday sent a message of felicitation to Muslims on the occasion of Eid El Adha festival, which falls on Saturday.

The message signed by Mr Daniel Botwe, General Secretary, said the party has big respect and commitment to the Muslim religion, its doctrines and institutions.

"The NPP consequently shares in the joy of our Muslim brothers and sisters on such a festive occasion.

"The NPP ... hopes that the Muslim community will continue to be guided by the Koran which preaches goodwill among mankind."

Kumasi (Ashanti), 25 March 

Saint Cyprian, the patron saint of the parish church that Otumfuo Opoku Ware the second attended, seems to say "Welcome, wanderer, welcome" as elegant preparations have been put in place for the burial service of the late king.

The effigy of Saint Cyprian in the forecourt of the cathedral and another in the church hall, dressed in an ash cassock, a pink vestment, with a rod in the right hand and a Bible in the left welcomes visitors to the church.

Black buntings are fixed round the cathedral building to suit the occasion of the blessing of the mortal remains of Otumfuo Opoku Ware the second before it embarks on the journey to eternity.

Large canopies have been erected on the forecourt with a number of short-circuit television sets placed at vantage points to enable those who would not be able to find space in the in the church building to watch from outside.

The Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC) and Crystal Television, a pay television station in Kumasi, are expected to give live coverage.

Kumasi (Ashanti), 25 March 

Workers and residents of Kumasi today declared an unofficial holiday to enable them to participate in the burial of the late Asantehene, Otumfuo Opoku Ware the second.

All offices, shops and banks are closed and the Central market is also under lock and key in accordance with custom which forbids the sale of foodstuffs while an Asantehene lies in state.

Any trader who ventures to the market or sells, does so at his or her own risk since on the day of burial, the princes and grandchildren of the king run through the main areas of the city to snatch livestock which have not been penned as well as the wares of those who sell.

Traffic in and outside the city is just a trickle and those drivers who have ventured to work discharge passengers at points they consider safe enough from the city centre.

People in the city centre queue to buy food from the few cooked food sellers who have ventured to prepare them.

All the Asante paramount chiefs and the Kumasi chiefs swore the oath of allegiance to the late Asantehene this morning at Patokrom.

At 12 noon, the body will be taken from there to the Saint Cyprian's Anglican Cathedral for a burial service after which it will be sent to the royal mausoleum at Bantama for wreath laying. After that, it will be sent finally to Breman, for burial.

The above would have been His Majesty's last words as Asante Adehyema renewed their oath of allegiance by swearing that, even in death, we will continue to serve Otumfuo, Asanteman and Ghana. The ceremony started at Patokrom around 1 am this morning and turns were taken for the oath to be taken.

The casket containing the mortal remains of Otumfuo was conveyed to the Cathedral Church of St. Cyprian the Martyr at Fante New Town for a burial service around 2pm. The burial procession ends at the Royal Mausoleum at Bantama for a wreath-laying ceremony.

After the ceremony at Bantama, the general public is excluded for the final journey to Breman.

Yesterday, Manhyia Palace, continued to attract more dignitaries, especially Ministers of State. One of them, the Minister for Tourism, Mr. Mike Gizo, described Otumfuo as someone who lived for peace, progress, development and unity. Mr. Gizo said that the death of the King is a loss not only to Ghana, but the world at large.

Among those who filed past the body were the German Ambassador, Mr. Christian Narkonz, the Canadian High Commissioner, and the Right Reverend Bishop Akwasi Sarpong of the Kumasi Catholic Diocese.

The management of the Agricultural Development Bank presented two cartons of schnapps, Guinness stout, Malta Guinness and a cash of five million cedis as it's contribution towards the burial of the late Asantehene. The donation was made on behalf of the Bank by the General Manager in charge of Administration, Mr. Boakye Agyemang, the Area Manager in charged of Brong Ahafo and Ashanti Region and the Kumasi Central Market Branch Manager, Mr. Kwabena Asante.