The Ga Mantse and the President of the Ga Traditional Council, King Tackie Teiko Tsuru II and his traditional leaders have outlined measures which are to be observed before and during the burial of the late Ga Manye Naa Dedei Omaedru III.
The Funeral Planning Committee in a statement announced that the burial rites for the Ga Manye will commence from October 23, 2023, to October 29, 2023.
“In consonance with traditional preparation, funeral, and burial rites, all Ga-Dangme people and commuters to the Capital City of Accra, are humbly implored to take note that the 2023 Homowo will resolutely be observed in a state of what is culturally known as “ODOM” within the traditional jurisdiction”, excerpts of the statement from the Funeral Planning Committee stated.
The statement continued to explain that the 2023 Homowo festival will not be observed with much amusement as compared to previous years due to the death of the Queen-mother.
“This is to say that, the conviviality usually associated with the festival shall be repressed”.
“Sprinkling of the festal meal (Kpokpoi) shall be performed only within the confines of prominent traditional homes, and very prominent royal cemeteries”, the statement added.
The committee in the statement also highlighted some activities that will not be observed during the week-long funeral of Manye Naa Dedei Omaedru III.
“All funerals shall be on hold from October 15th to 30th October 2023.”
“There shall be neither any performance of traditional rites nor rituals leading to enstoolment, installation or induction into any traditional office”.
The council through the committee also said all markets in Accra shall be draped in the traditional funeral colors of red and black.
Moreover, the authorities announced that between October 23, 2023, to October 29, 2023, there shall be strict enforcement of solemnity in the traditional jurisdiction, while the Queen is laid in state before her final departure.
Find the statement from the funeral planning committee below
Manye Naa Dedei Omaedru III died on December 26, 2022.
She was installed as the Ga Manye in 1963 when she was 29 and served for 59 years.