Late Ga Manye’s Funeral In Limbo

…As Court Grants Interim Injunction

The final funeral rites of the late Ga Manye, the Queen Mother of Ga State, Naa Dedei Omaedru III, is in limbo, as an Accra High Court has granted an injunction application against the ceremony.

Even though the funeral is presently ongoing, some family members of the deceased who claimed to have been sidelined in the planning of the funeral have gone to court to secure the interim injunction to restrain the Ga Traditional Council from going ahead with the burial, slated for this weekend.

The court order, under the lordship of Justice Patrick Baayeh, directed that no person should handle the remains of the late queen mother throughout the stated period of 10days.

“It is hereby ordered that the Defendant/Respondent of the funeral committee chaired by Nii Otinir II, all members of the committee, this provides workmen, assigns and all person working through them are restrained from handling, organizing, touching performing or dealing with the remained of the late Queen Mother, Naa Dedei Omaedru III in any manner for a period of ten (10) day,” the court order reads.

Lawyer for the aggrieved family, Thomas Gblorvu, who confirmed the development in an interview monitored by The Anchor last night, said the direct family of the late Ga Manye was not directly involved in the planning and were also prevented by the traditional council from performing certain rites for the deceased’s body.

The plaintiffs in the case are: Nuumo Emmanuel T. Antia We, Head of the Antie We of Kpone; NiiAddey Oba-Aasaa II, Ankobea of Antie We of Kpone; Shippi Antie I, Saduase Shippi Kpone; Charles Nii Kotey Kotey, Head of Naa Dedei Omaedru We Family of Faase, Accra.

It also included: Asafoatse Nii Kotey Ga II, Oseahene of Ga Manye Stool and Principal Elder of the Naa Dedei Omaedru We of Faase Accra; Michael Nii Ofei Danso of unnumbered House Accra, Principal Elder of Naa Dedei Omaedru We of Faase Accra; and Naa Yomofio, Linguist of Ga Manye Naa Dedei Omaedru We.

Closure of Shops & Markets

The Ga Traditional Council has meanwhile declared suspension of all commercial activities in the Greater Accra Region on Saturday, October 28, as a mark of solemn respect and final farewell to the late Ga Mannye.

The declaration comes after the Ga Traditional Council took the responsibility of informing the government, traditional rulers, stakeholders and partners in the diaspora.

Mr.Ayi Kwei Otoo, Spokesperson of the Ga Traditional council, at a press conference on Tuesday, at the Ga Mantse Palace, said the Asafo companies would patrol major market centres to ensure the closure of all shops to prevent commercial activities.

He said those who defied the order would be punished accordingly to a yet-to-be determined mode of punishment for victims, which will be discussed at the presence of the Ga Traditional Council after the funeral activities.

He discounted the three-day suspension of commercial activities, emphasizing that the suspension would be only on Saturday 28 October.

Mr.Otoo said the Motor Traffic Transport Department (MTTD) would help manage traffic during the funeral period to prevent congestion.

He advised parents to be vigilant and ensure the safety of their children during this period of mourning as some individuals will take advantage during this sensitive times.

Mr. Sylvester Jude Kpakpo Parker Allotey, Member of the Funeral Committee, said the funeral would start from Tuesday, October 24 to Sunday 29, 2023 beginning with the Asafo companies parading the streets of Accra and firing knockouts.

He said on Wednesday, October 25, market women would present food stuffs to the Ga Traditional Council from 1300 hours. This would be followed by a cultural display of music, dance and storytelling by the Asafo companies.

Friday, October 27, there will be a vigil at the Ga Mantse Palace, North Kaneshie, which would start in the morning with a firing display of fireworks by the Asafo companies at 0600 hours, while the clergy would be at the Ga Mantse Palace for a repost of the Ga Mannye stool.

Mr.Allotey said on Saturday, October 28, would commence at the Ga Mantse Palace with an inter denominational burial service across the Ga State which will start from 0900 to 1100 hours.

The final funeral rite, which is the thanks giving service, will be held at the Holy Trinity Cathedral Church. Other traditional rites will continue after the service, he added.

Addressing recent speculations concerning the funeral, he stated that the funeral would proceed as planned and it would be a celebration of the remarkable legacy and contribution of the late Queen Mother to the Ga State and the nation.

“The funeral will proceed and there will be no hindrance,” he added. The late Queen Mother of the Ga State died on Monday, December 26, 2022, at age 88.

Source:Anchorghana.com