Schools in the Kumasi Metropolis and Asokore Mampong Municipality in the Ashanti Region will be closed on Monday as Asanteman begins the final funeral rites of the late Asantehemaa.
A statement by the Ashanti Regional Directorate of the Ghana Education Service (GES) directed day students in the various Senior High Schools not to report to school on December 4 and December 8.
“We wish to inform residents in Kumasi Metro, Asokore Mampong Municipal and the general public that activities being held for the final funeral rites of the late queen mother, Nana Afia Kobi Serwaa Ampem II demand that Basic schools within these areas be closed down on Monday, December 4, 2017.”
“On Friday, December 8, schools will close at 12 noon to enable students to reach home on time. Day students in the Senior High schools are also to stay home within these two days,” the statement added.
The late Nana Serwa Ampem II, who was the mother of the current Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, passed away in November 2016 at 111 years and was succeeded by Nana Konadu Yiadom II, Asantehene’s elder sister.
Although her burial rites were performed in January 2017, her funeral rites are being held over a two-week period in the Ashanti Region.
The Chairman of the funeral committee, Nsuase Opoku Agyeman, Otumfuo’s Akyeamhene in an earlier press briefing advised residents and traders in the Central Business District of Kumasi to close their shops on Monday and Tuesday.
“There will be firing of musketry in the streets, the executioners will also be around to display, so as Nananom parade from Adum to Manhyia, we will advise that all shops be closed, no trotros or taxis should be seen working,” he explained.
He also warned that “no one should be seen in the evening on Saturday. It should be observed just like the Thursday during the burial rites, because that evening, Nananom will take the Abusuakuruwa to Breman.”
Meanwhile, a ban has been placed on all funerals in the Region from the Friday 1st December to Monday 11th December
Schools to close down over late Asantehemaa’s funeral rites
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