Schools, offices, and businesses in Kumasi are expected to close on Thursday, September 18, as the Manhyia Palace announces stringent rules for the burial rites of the late Asantehemaa, Nana Konadu Yiadom III.
The Funeral Planning Committee is courting the participation and respect of administrative rules to ensure a smooth and dignified observance of the burial scheduled from September 14 to 18, 2025.
As part of the arrangement for the Dote Yie, street vendors, motorcycles, mopeds, and tricycles are barred from operating along the main streets of the Manhyia Palace, whilst social and economic activities in Kumasi will halt on Thursday.
The committee has cautioned that anyone who flouts these directives will face strict consequences.
The week-long observance of the royal burial rites known as ‘Dote Yie’ of Nana Konadu Yiadom III, Asantehemaa, will attract thousands of mourners and high-profile guests in Ghana and beyond.
The Funeral Planning Committee, chaired by the Omanhene of the Bompata Traditional Area, Nana Efa Apenteng, is assuring order, dignity, and security during the burial rites.
“The burial service on Monday is slated for Churches, Clergy, Political Parties, Educational Institutions, NGOS, Telecommunication Companies, Corporate Institutions, all recognized associations and the General Public at the Manhyia Premises.
“Tuesday 16th September, Judiciary & Ghana Bar, Security Agencies, GAF, Gh Police, Gh Fire, Gh Prisons, Gh Immigration, Customs, SOE’s & Public officials, Financial Institutions and General Public.
“Wednesday 17th September, Reps of National House of Chiefs and Regional Houses, Ministers of State, Diplomatic Corps, Parliamentarians, MCEs & DCEs and General Public,” he said.
Nana Efa Apenteng explained the stringent arrangements are to prevent congestion, disruptions, and breaches of protocol at the Manhyia Palace.
“All Cars parked wrongfully within the vicinity of the Manhyia will be towed away from Friday 14th September. All citizens whose own cars within the roads blocked, if affected, should kindly seek alternative parking to avoid any inconveniences.
“All deliveries into the Palace and any Service provider must complete their delivery by the close of day Saturday, 13th of September 2025. No recording device (cameras, microphones, phones, pens, buttons etc.) should be brought for the filing past of Asantehemaa.
“Neither the Funeral Planning Committee nor the Gyaase of Manhyia has instructed anybody to collect any donation or its sort from anybody, so anyone who does that should be arrested. The public can freely park at the Central Mosque, Degraft Memorial Methodist Church premises and Asawase Metro Cluster of Schools. All property will be well protected by the Ghana Police Service and other security agencies,” he said.
On all the days, no one is allowed to take pictures from where the queen mother will be laid; women should remove their necklace and scarf from their head before they file past the mortal remains of the queen mother.
Nana Effa Apenteng cautioned that on Thursday night, everyone should remain indoors as the queen mother will be sent to Bremang for the internment.