Nana Yaa Nyamaa II, late Sunyani Omanhemaa, journeys to eternity
THE remains of the paramount queen mother of Sunyani, Nana Yaa Nyamaa Poduo II, have been interred at the royal cemetery in Sunyani in the Bono Region.
The final funeral service of the popular queen mother was attended by hundreds of dignitaries, including a former president, government officials, politicians, diplomats, among others.
Former President Rawlings, former First Lady Lordina Mahama, Chief of Staff Akosua Frema Osei-Opare, the Catholic Diocese of Sunyani, among others, were there to pay their last respects.
The Catholic Cathedral in Sunyani, where she worshipped, held a service in her honour and the Catholic Bishop of Sunyani Dioceses, Right Revered Matthew Gyamfi, led the congregational prayers.
Speaking on behalf of President Akufo-Addo, who is currently out of the country, the Chief of Staff supported by the Bono Regional Minister, Evelyn Ama Kumi Richardson, recognized the contributions of the late queen mother in the maintenance of peace in the municipality and the entire region.
The Chief of Staff, through the Regional Minister, later donated GH¢50,000 towards the funeral while former President Rawlings also donated GH¢5,000.
The final funeral rites of the late queen mother started last Tuesday, with a traditional rite called ‘adwaree’ (bathing) where there was procession of mourners carrying various items in trays meant for bathing the corpse before lying it in repose.
Since last week, residents who refused to wear either black or red attire in the central parts of Sunyani to mourn the passing of Sunyani Omanhemaa were manhandled by traditional executioners, aka ‘abrafuo’, from the Sunyani Tradition Council, compelling the police to issue a statement to condemn the act.
During the procession on some principal streets of Sunyani, the ‘abrafuo’ wielded guns, machetes and sticks amid firing of musketry.
It was in the course of the procession that they attacked those who were not in red or black attire and also descended on those who took pictures of the procession.
danielyaodayee@yahoo.com
FROM Daniel Y Dayee, Sunyani