Nana Addo, Rawlings mourn Okuapemhene

Former President Jerry John Rawlings and the Flagbearer of the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP), Nana Addo Danquah Akuffo-Addo, on Thursday February 4, mourned with the people of Akuapem during the funeral rites of the late Paramount Chief of the Akuapem Traditional Area, Oseadeeyo Addo Dankwa III.

The funeral rites of the late Paramount Chief began on Sunday, with the performance of traditional rites by the Okyehene, Osagyefo Amoatia Ofori Panin II.

The late chief has been laying in state since Tuesday, and will continue to do so till Saturday, February 6, when a burial service will take place at the Christ Presbyterian Church in Akropong.

This will be followed by funeral rites on the Presbyterian University College Park, also in Akropong.

There will also be a thanksgiving service on Sunday, February 7, and final burial rites on Monday, February 8, at the forecourt of the Okuapehene’s Palace in Akropong.

President John Mahama is also expected to pay his respect to the late king, who left behind a wife, Mrs Gloria Ayebea Djan, and five children.

Leaders of the various political parties will also pay their last respect to him. Oseadeeyo Addo Dankwa III, was installed as the Paramount Chief of the Akuapem Traditional Area in 1974, at the age of 44 and reigned for 41 years.

He is reputed to be the longest reigning Okuapehene since the formation of the Akuapem State. Before being called by the ancestors, Oseadeeyo Addo Dankwa became the President of the Akuapem Traditional Council, a position he occupied from 1974 till his demise.

He was also a member of the Eastern Regional House of Chiefs from 1975, and member of the National House of Chiefs from 1990 till he passed on.