The Ga Traditional Council has directed that all shops and offices in the Central Business District of Accra be closed on Saturday, October 28, 2023, to make way for the final funeral rights of the late Queen Mother of the Ga State, Naa Dedei Omaedru III.
Other mini markets and shops at homes within the capital are all required to be locked on the said date to pay homage to the late Paramount Queenmother of the Ga State.
The Funeral Planning Committee, in a statement signed and released by the Sempe Mantse and Chairman of the Central Funeral Planning Committee Nii Adote Otintor II, dated October 10, noted that “the Ga Traditional Council has determined that shops and markets within Accra should be closed on Saturday the 28th of October 2023, only, and not from the 26th of October to the 29th of October 2023, to the 31st of October, as previously announced”.
However, pharmacy shops and business owners selling Ga Kenkey and fish are permitted to sell on Saturday, October 28, 2023.
The week-long funeral rites of Naa Dedei Omaedru III began on October 23 and are expected to end on Sunday, October 29, 2023.
The Funeral Planning Committee in an earlier statement noted that due to the week-long arrangement for the funeral of the queen-mother, “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 council announced that between October 25 to October 29, there will be strict enforcement of solemnity in the traditional jurisdiction while the Queen is laid in state before her final departure.
On Thursday, October 26, the remains of the queen would be prepared to lie in state.
On Friday, October 27, the body will be brought to the Ga Traditional Council where a pre-burial service will be held.
On Saturday, October 28 at 8 a.m. there would be a burial and funeral ceremony at the Ga Traditional Council.
On Sunday, October 29, there will be a thanksgiving service at the Holy Trinity Anglican Cathedral in Accra.
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.
