The Planning Committee for the burial of the late Asantehemaa, Nana Afia Kobi Serwaa Ampem II, has allayed fears of the public concerning human sacrifices during the burial.
As part of the arrangements for the burial of the queen, no one is to be seen on the streets of Kumasi, from Bantama to Breman, from 6:00pm on Thursday, January 19, to 3:00am on Friday January 20.
This has given rise to speculation that those defy the order would be sacrificed as part of the burial, but the committee says that is not the case.
“We don’t need any human sacrifices at this time. It has been abolished more than 200 years ago and there is nothing of that sort", the chairperson for the medical, sanitation and environment sub-committee in charge of the laying in state and burial rites, Mawerehene Baffour Hyeman Brentuo IV, told Accra-based Class FM.
He, however, cautioned the public to stay indoors within the period stipulated by authorities in order to have the deceased queenmother buried successfully according to the demands of tradition.
“Tradition has to be observed. It is a very quiet time, that is why we ban funerals and noisemaking and what have you. We are in a state of mourning and do not want any distraction,†he said.