The Overlord of Ashanti Kingdom, Opemsuo Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, and a large entourage of Ashanti Chiefs yesterday joined the Chiefs and people of Berekum Traditonal Area to mourn the late Berekummanhene, Nana Dr. Daasebre Amankona Diawuo II.
Berekum is one of the paramountcies in the Bono region, which owe allegiance to the Golden Stool.
The late Berekummanhene, also known as Dr. Leo Ofori, 84, a surgical specialist, was installed in 2004 and died this year.
About 30 VIP buses and 20 mini buses, besides individuals, conveyed people and sympathisers from Kumasi and other paramountcies in the Ashanti region.
Otumfuo’s large entourage included Paramount Chiefs and Queen mothers from the Ashanti region and other parts of the country.
Residents of various communities along the Kumasi-Sunyani-Berekum highway lined up the streets to cheer the Asantehene’s convoy.
At Berekum, mourners and sympathisers were fully clad in black and red to mourn their departed Chief.
The euphoria of great happiness and excitement was seen on the faces of residents about the news that Otumfuo was attending the funeral in person.
The whole gathering was electrified when the Asantehene finally arrived in the town and proceeded to the funeral grounds in a palanquin, dancing to fontomfrom drums to the admiration of onlookers.
The King was given a tumultuous welcome when he finally arrived at the funeral grounds to climax the four-day final funeral rites of the late Berekummanhene.
Meanwhile, a Sunyani High Court had ordered the Paramount Chief of Dormaa Traditional Area, Osagyefo Nana Agyeman Badu, from attending the burial rites of the late Paramount Chief of Berekum Traditional Area, Daasebre Dr. Amankona Diawuo II.
This follows an action brought before the court by Osabarima Kyere Yeboah Darteh II of the Berekum Traditional Council (BTC).
BTC sources indicate that the decision to secure the injunction follows plans by the Dormahene to attend the burial at a time the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, would be attending the event, a development that could breach the peace of the area.
According to the source, a programme outline, advertised by the Berekum Traditional council, suggested that the Dormahene, the President, members of the Bono Regional and National Houses of Chiefs and other prominent personalities were to attend the burial rites on Wednesday November 22.
This was to pave way for the Asantehene to attend the burial yesterday, November 23, 2023.
Traditionally, the Otumfuo is expected to be the last person to attend the burial of a Berekumhene since it is within his jurisdiction and right to enstool a new chief after the burial.
However, the Dormaahene, who was to attend the event, earlier decided to attend at the same time the Otumfuo would be attending, thus compelling the Berekum Traditional Council to seek the legal action.
This, according to sources, is to prevent potential chaos that may ensue should the two traditional heads meet at the event at the same time.
Meanwhile, the court has further requested the Ghana Police Service to assist the BTC in carrying out the injunction order to maintain peace within Berekum and surrounding vicinity.
