KUMASI BACK TO LIFE AFTER ASANTEHEMAA'S BURIAL RITES
Commercial
and social activities of Kumasi are back to their normal situation, a day after
the city became dead silent following a ban on trading within the city centre
on the last of four days declared for Asanteman to mourn the passing on of the
13th Asantehemaa, Nana Afia Serwaa Kobi Ampem.
The ban was placed on
trading activities in the metropolis by the Manhyia Palace as hundreds of
mourners and well wishers from across Ghana and beyond arrived in the capital
of the Asante Kingdom to bid farewell to the biological mother of the reigning
occupant of the Golden Stool.
However, our Correspondent reports that traders
reported at the usually busy areas of Kumasi as early as 4 am. As at 7 am,
human and vehicular traffic had begun building up creating congestion at areas
such as ‘Dr. Mensah’, PZ, Central Market and Ashtown, while shops and stores
that were closed for business yesterday had started opening for the day’s work.
All the road blocks that were mounted to restrict movement of commercial
vehicles to the main city centre had also been removed to allow free flow of
traffic.
In an interview, while some of the traders noted that they lost their
daily sales as a result of the ban on trading activities yesterday, others
consider the ban worthwhile since it was an opportunity for the people to show
their last respect to the late Asantehemaa.
Others also said the ban provided
them the chance to also witness for the first time, some of the traditions and
customs of Asanteman in the performance of the burial rites for such a high
ranking royal of Asanteman.
is the first time in about 39 years that burial
rites have been held for a departed Asantehemaa since the death of the 12th
Asantehemaa, Nana Ama Serwaa Nyarko in 1977.
Meanwhile, all the barriers
mounted since Monday to block all entry points to the Manhyia Palace by
motorists have been removed.
about 6 am, staff of Zoom Lion, a waste
management company, had already started cleaning the remnants of the filth
generated within and around the Manhyia Palace due to the Requiem Mass to
commit the soul of Nana Afia Kobi Serwaa Ampem to God.
Both public and Private
basic and second cycle schools which were also closed yesterday have re-opened
for normal teaching and learning activities to take palace.
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