The Planning Committee for the burial of the late Asantehemaa, Nana Afia Kobi Serwaa Ampem II, has allayed fears of the public concerning human sacrifices during the burial.
“We don’t need any human sacrifices at this time. It has been abolished more than 200 years ago and there is nothing of that sort, the Chairperson for the Medical, Sanitation and Environment sub-committee in charge of the laying in state and burial rites, Mawerehene Baffour Hyeman Brentuo IV, has assured in in an interview with Class FM on Wednesday, January 11.
He, however, cautioned the public to stay indoors within the period stipulated by authorities in order to have the deceased queenmother buried successfully according to the demands of tradition.
“Tradition has to be observed. It is a very quiet time, that is why we ban funerals and noisemaking and what have you. We are in a state of mourning and do not want any distraction,” he said.
He cautioned miscreants who would want to use that period to commit crimes and admonished residents to observe instructions that have been earlier communicated.
As part of the arrangements for the burial of the queen, no one is to be seen on the streets, from Bantama to Breman, from 6:00pm of Thursday, January 19 to 3:00am of Friday January 20.
The Asanteman Council has said that the Manhyia Palace will not be held accountable for the lives of people and domestic animals that are seen outside at the said time.
Meanwhile, residents of Kumasi will embark on a three-day major clean-up exercise within the metropolis as part of preparations towards the burial.
The Director of the Waste-Management Department at the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly, John Gorkeh Miah, told Class News on Wednesday, January 11 that his outfit would also arrest and prosecute persons who litter indiscriminately.
“Our charge is to ensure that Kumasi is clean and devoid of filth on the streets. We have charged all the environmental health officers to intensify house-to-house inspections and prosecutions. If they see any filth, they should arrest those perpetrating it and put them before court,” he stated.
The committee which comprises heads of the Red Cross Society, the Waste Management Department, the Metro-Health Directorate and the ambulance services has pledged to ensure an incident-free event as far as the health and safety of attendees are concerned.
The committee is also deploying 50 doctors and 250 nurses who will man mobile clinics that will be set up at the funeral grounds.