Former President John Dramani Mahama on Thursday visited the Manhyia Palace in Kumasi to pay his last respect to the late Asantehemaa, Nana Afia Kobi Serwaa Ampem II.
"Paid my last respect to the late Asantehemaa today and commiserated with my brother and friend, the Asantehene. May her soul rest in perfect peace," he wrote on his Facebook page.
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The visit comes as the final funeral rites for the late queenmother winds down with her burial on Thursday.
 
Offices as shops in Kumasi have already closed ahead of the burial tonight.
The Ghana Education Service (GES) has also directed that all schools in the Ashanti Region be closed.
The directive comes as the Kumasi Metropolis prepares to go on a lock-down from 7pm on Thursday till 4am on Friday.
Within the period, residents are expected to stay indoors as the body of the late Asantehemaa, Nana Afia Kobi Serwaa Ampem II is moved to the Bantama Mausoleum (Ban mu) and later to the Breman Mausoleum for burial.
Nana Afia Kobi Serwaa Ampem II, the mother of Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, King of the Asante, died at the age of 111 after she reigned for 39 years.
Her burial tonight will end the four-day funeral rites.