Mamponghene gets night burial

THE MORTAL remains of the late Asante Mamponghene, Daasebre Osei Bonsu II, was buried in the Royal Mausoleum in Mampong, late in the night on Monday according to Asante traditions.

THE NEW PUBLISHER has been reliably informed that few groups and people were allowed entry to the royal mausoleum to witness the late Mamponghene’s peaceful transition to the world of the dead.

According to reports, some rich traditions, which dates back to several centuries were performed before the body of Daasebre Osei Bonsu, who reigned as Mamponghene for 28 years, was finally interred.

Otumfuo’s rituals

Prior to the burial, the overlord of Asante Kingdom, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, the Asantehene, had stormed Mampong earlier on Monday with a scores of servants and elders, to perform some rituals in the afternoon.

The Asantehene, whose body language depicted sadness, was carried high in a palanquin as he majestically stormed the Amaniampong Silver Stool Palace, where the body of the chief was laid in state.

Significantly, Otumfuo, who is the 16th occupant of the sacred Golden stool of the Asante Kingdom, was ushered into the funeral rites venue with the firing of musketry and blowing of traditional horns.

The Asantehene was clearly followed with emotions as he was led to where the body was lying in state for mourners to pay their last respects. Otumfuo and his entourage spent minutes in the rooms before coming out.

Otumfuo then sat in state for some selected people, including the Asante Mamponghemaa, Nana Agyakoma Difie, and some selected elders of Mampong Traditional Council to console him.

Mahama, Nana, Kufuor mourns late chief

Also present at the funeral rites of the Mamponghene was President John Dramani Mahama, who led a high-powered government delegation, including ministers and NDC top officials to mourn the late chief.

Former presidents John Agyekum Kufuor and Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo as well influential members of the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) were also there in large numbers to bid farewell to the chief.