An empty street at Adum in Kumasi
THE ROADS in Kumasi, the capital of Ashanti Region, were virtually deserted on Thursday in reverence for Nana Konadu Yiadom III, the late Asantehemaa.
There was an initial directive from the Manhyia Palace that business activities in Kumasi should be suspended on Thursday, when the late queen would be buried.
However, Otumfuo’s linguist, Baffuor Kantankrakyi, on Wednesday announced that it’s only the markets in Kumasi, which are owned by Asantehemaa, should be closed.
But residents of Kumasi, who love and adore their queen, still suspended their operations as they trooped to Manhyia Palace to give the late queen a befitting burial.
Adum Turns Ghost Town
During a visit to Adum, the Central Business District (CBD) of the city, the place was virtually empty and quiet as nobody was seen at the place, which is usually busy.
All the shops, banks, offices of institutions and departments were shut down, thereby turning the place into a ghost town. Even vehicles were not seen plying the roads.
There were reports that other roads in the Ashanti regional capital were also unusually quiet as residents were indoors, glued to their television sets, watching the funeral rites.
Food Shortage In Kumasi
Meanwhile, there was a temporary food shortage in Kumasi and the nearby communities on Thursday morning, as food sellers and dealers also suspended their operations.
Even though there was a directive from the Manhyia Palace that those who provide essential services like restaurants and food joints should operate, they still refused to work.
This therefore created hardship and difficulties for people in the city, who patronise food joints and restaurants. Some of the people openly lamented over the development.
“We just can’t find food to buy, and this is creating discomfort situations for some of us who solely rely on food joints to eat in the city,” Kwaku Bonsu, a resident, openly bemoaned.
Transport Operators Suspend Operations
Surprisingly, transport operators, who also formed part of essential service providers, refused to work on the day, thereby creating difficulties for the people.
The DAILY GUIDE gathered that the few commercial vehicles that operated on Thursday morning took advantage of the car shortage to charge exorbitant fees from passengers.
Nana Ama Konadu Yiadom III was the 14th Asante Queen, and she reigned for eight years, during which time her splendid works positively impacted the Asante kingdom.
FROM I.F. Joe Awuah, Kumasi