Communities in the Ekumfi Traditional Area have started preparations towards the holding of the final funeral rites for four paramount chiefs who ‘went home’ some years ago.
Leadership of the traditional area have put together a number of activities in preparation for the final funeral rites of Nana Akyin VI, Nana Akyin VII, Nana Benyiwa IV and Nana Benyiwa V on Saturday, June 17, 2023 at the Royal Palace grounds at Ekumfi Abiram.
According to the Omanhene of the Ekumfi Traditional Area, Odeefuo Akyin VIII, the rites and celebration is well deserved, considering how well these two chiefs and queens have served their communities and the nation as a whole.
He noted that Nana Akyin VI, for instance, was the first President of the Central Regional House of Chiefs and served for 14 years. He was also one of the first chiefs to be appointed as the Chairman of Presidential Commission, when Ghana became a Republic.
This achievement, according to Odeefuo Akyin VIII must be celebrated, hence the grand funeral rites to bid all of them farewell.
As a result of this, all communities in the Ekumfi Traditional area are expected to observe some days of silence in reverence to the chiefs. The inhabitants, including churches, are banned from organising burials or any activity intended to disrupt the solemn atmosphere in the Traditional area.
Also, inhabitants in every community making up the traditional area are expected to clean up their vicinities on June 9, this year, as part of preparation towards the rites.
From Saturday, June 10 to Friday, June 16 all communities making up the Ekumfi traditional area are expected to, amidst drumming, singing and dancing, march to Royal Palace Grounds (RPG) at Ekumfi Abiram to pay homage to the stool.
On Saturday, June 17, which is the great day itself, inhabitants of all the communities will troop to RPG to bid farewell to the four chiefs and queens.
Some dignitaries expected to grace the occasion are the President of the National House Chiefs, Ogyeahohuo Yaw Gyebi II and the President of the Central Regional House of chiefs, Odeefo Amoakwa Buadu VIII.
From the government side, the Minister for Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, Mr Stephen Asamoah Boateng and the Central Regional Minister, Madam Justina Marigold are also expected to grace the accession.
On Sunday, June 18, 2023 inhabitants of surrounding communities are expected to gather at the RPG again for a Thanksgiving service to climax the celebration.
