The funeral ceremony of the late Queen of the Ga State, Naa Dedei Omaedru III, is currently taking place in Accra. The event is marked by the performance of traditional rites and the display of the rich Ga culture. The activities began earlier this week with a series of rituals and will continue until Saturday, October 28, 2023.
The preparations for the funeral have been intense, and the atmosphere was buzzing with excitement on Friday afternoon. Muskets were fired at the Ga Mantse palace, creating an aura of tradition and reverence. Nii Kwardey Ntreh, who is in charge of Culture at the Office of the Ga Mantse, shared insights into the significance of the ceremony.
According to Nii Kwardey Ntreh, some of the rituals are open to the public, while others are restricted to selected members of the royal family and traditional leaders. The wake keeping, which began on the day GNA caught up with Nii Kwardey Ntreh, will continue until the next morning when the actual funeral takes place at the Ga Mantse's Palace.
One of the key aspects of the ceremony is the retrieval of oaths from the late Queen by the various royal houses of the Ga State. When a royal ascends the throne, they take an oath of allegiance to the Stool. Upon their passing, the oath is taken away from them. On Saturday, the traditional authorities to whom the Queen swore allegiance will come to "take back" their oath. In a private and secretive ritual, the various groups will gather where the body is laid and perform their rituals. The body of the Queen will then be conveyed to the various royal houses to bid them farewell before the final burial, which will be attended by only the family and a selected few.
During the procession, the coffin will be guarded by various traditional guards known as Asafo. Following them will be the fetish priestess of the Ga land, ensuring that the body is respectfully transported from the palace to its final resting place. This procession will take place after 3 pm on Saturday.
The funeral of Naa Dedei Omaedru III is a momentous occasion for the Ga State, as it allows the community to pay their respects and honor their late Queen. The rituals and ceremonies involved carry deep cultural significance and are a testament to the rich traditions of the Ga people. It is a time for reflection, remembrance, and celebration of a life well-lived.
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