By Hajara Fuseini
Copyright opemsuo
A night curfew will take effect in the Kumasi metropolis on the night of the last day of the burial rites of the deceased queen of the Asante Kingdom, Nana Konadu Yiadom III.
Everyone, except for essential service providers such as personnel of the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG), Ghana Water Company Limited (GWCL), the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS), the Ghana Ambulance Service and the Ghana Health Service (GHS), is required to stay indoors that night.
There is a significant reason for this, which has been revealed by Baffour Kantankrankyi, a linguist of the King of the Asante Kingdom.
In an interview with Opemsuo Radio, he stated that there will be no execution of people who flout the directive as presumed.
“We have restricted outdoor movement. We don’t kill humans. We are law-abiding.”
Rather, Baffour said the directive was for public security and safety.
He explained that the preceding rites for the burial of the Queen are so powerful that they may induce possession and frenzy in the traditional executioners.
As a result, they might unintentionally hurt anyone who crosses their path.
“We don’t want anyone to bring calamity on themselves because the executioners will be leading the procession to the designated points. When the executioners take in ritual drinks, they get possessed by the spirit. They might hurt someone.”
He was also quick to add that the Asantehene has encouraged the traditional executioners to exercise restraint in the face of such instances.
“Otumfuo has engaged them to avoid such a thing. We want an incident-free burial for the Queen.”
The carefully planned burial rites have a series of activities from September 15 to September 18, when the rites will come to an end.
Her Majesty will be buried on the last day at Breman Baamu.
Filing past is reserved to take place sequentially among dignitaries and the general public from September 15 to 18, between 5 am and 5 pm, except for the last day, when it will end at 11 am to make way for a burial service at 3 pm.
A key point to note is the institution of the restriction on outdoor movement effective 7 pm on September 18 to make way for the burial of Her Majesty.
Story by Hajara Fuseini
