On Saturday, hundreds of mourners and well-wishers thronged the Ga Mantse’s Palace at Kaneshie to observe the final funeral rites of the late Queen of the Ga State (Ga Manye), Naa Dedei Omaedru III.
Naa Omaedru III, also known as Naa Dedei Ablah in private life, passed away at the age of 88 on December 26, 2022, at her Dansoman residence in Accra.
Throughout her 59-year reign, she dedicated herself to public and voluntary service, advocating for peace, education, and opportunities for young people, particularly girls.
Guests and mourners at the funeral grounds were clad in red and black clothing to match the colors of the funeral grounds and their environs.
Many of the guests started arriving as early as 8 a.m. to show their last respect to the late queen.
As a royal funeral, the rich culture and traditions of the Ga state and its people were on display to the admiration of the people gathered at the funeral.
Drumming, singing, blowing of flutes, and dancing amidst the deafening sounds of muskets fired by the Asafoatsemei (warriors of the Ga State) signified royalty and the significance of the late traditional ruler.
Also, there was a procession of the various Asafo flags in Ga State.
The Ga Mantse and President of the Ga Traditional Council, King Tackie Teiko Tsuru II, led his entourage, consisting of members of the Ga Traditional Council, other chiefs and queen mothers from the six paramountcies of the Ga Traditional Area, namely: Sempe, Akumadjan, Gbese, Abola, Otublohum and Asere, to the burial service grounds
The funeral, held under the royal direction of King Tackie Teiko Tsuru II, Ga Mantse, was graced by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and the First Lady, Mrs. Rebecca Akufo-Addo, among other high-profile officials from all walks of life.
The funeral also had chiefs and traditional representatives from all regions and neighboring countries in West Africa pay their last respects to the departed royal.
Reverend Ministers from the Greater Accra Dioceses of the Anglican Church led the burial service.
Naa Dedei Omaedru III was born in 1934 and passed away on December 26, 2022, at her residence in Dansoman. She was enstooled in 1963.
The Ga Manye was noted for championing important issues, including peace and nation-building, education and opportunities for young people, especially the girl child.
Throughout her reign, she demonstrated an extraordinary love for and dedication to the Gadangbe customs, exhorting the people to protect their rich values, cultures and festivities.
