A high powered government delegation led by the First Lady Nana Konadu Agyeman Rawlings and the Presidential Staffer on Chieftaincy Affairs, Nana Akuoko Sarpong today paid its condolences to Asanteman in Kumasi on the death of the Asantehene, Otumfuo Opoku Ware II. The delegation was received by the Queen Mother, Nana Afua Kobi Serwaah Ampem, the Asanteman Council and the Kumasi Traditional Council sitting in state. Other members of the government delegation were the Minister of Defence, Lt. Col E.K.T. Donkor, the Minister of Finance, Kwame Preprah, the Minister for National Security, Totobi Kwakye, a Minister of State, Prof. Kofi Awonnor, the Asanti Regional Minister, Kojo Yankah, the Greater Accra Regional Minister, D.O. Agyekum and the Inspector-General of Police, Peter Nanfuri. They signed a book of condolence, which was opened at the Manhyia Palace Museum on the sixth of this month. The book is lying infront of a photograph of the Asantehene dressed in his kingly splendour. From the museum, the delegation went to the main palace grounds where the Asanteman Council comprising all the paramount chiefs and the Kumasi Traditional Council was sitting in State. They were all glad in mourning cloth. Nana Akuoko Sarpong expressed the deepest condolences of the President, Flt. Lt. Rawlings and the government and people of Ghana to the Asanteman on their great loss. He assured Asanteman that the government would support all arrangements to give Otumfuo Opoku Ware a fitting burial. The government is to send a special delegation to officially inform the President and the People of Cote D’Ivoire of his death. On behalf of Asanteman the Mamponghene, Nana Osei Bonsu, who is the occupant of the Silver Stool, thanked President Rawlings and the government for their support and sympathy during this critical period in Ashanti history. He said Asanteman is particularly grateful to this government for sponsoring Otumfuo to undergo medical check-up in the U.K. last year.
