Thousands Say Goodbye to Asantehemaa Nana Konadu Yiadom III

Thousands of mourners gathered at Manhyia Palace in the Ashanti Region yesterday to pay their final respects to the late Asantehemaa, Nana Konadu Yiadom III. Asanteman has begun 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. The ceremony is steeped in strict Ashanti custom and tradition.

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.

Key Events in the Funeral Rites

Before the burial, there will be a two-hour church service at Dwabrem of the Manhyia Palace. Filing past began yesterday and continues today from 5 a.m. to 5 p.m. Otumfuo Osei Tutu sits in state within the same period from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Nana Effah-Apenteng, Chairman of the Funeral Planning Committee, announced on September 12 that 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.

Important Reminders for Mourners

All mourners and visitors wishing to file past the queen mother are expected to accord her respect and dignity per Ashanti custom. Females are barred from wearing headgear and jewellery.

Yesterday, personalities and institutions such as churches, and political figures, paid their respects. The atmosphere was one of deep reverence and mourning for the beloved queen mother.