The Ga Traditional Council has assured residents in the Ga State, in the Greater Accra region, of a peaceful and memorable celebration of the final funeral rites of the Queen Mother of the Ga State, Naa Dedei Omaedru III.

In this regard, the Ga Traditional Council has called on residents to abide by all directives before, during and after the burial of the departed Queen Mother as tradition and custom demand.

This assurance was given by the Mankralo of the Ga State and Sempe Mantse, Nii Adote Otintor II, during a press conference held at the Ga Mantse palace at Kaneshie on Tuesday.

The press conference, according to the Ga Traditional Council, was to clarify and address speculations about the impending burial and final rites of the late Ga Queen mother.

Nii Adote Otintor II eulogized the late queen, who he said deserves a befitting send-off to justify her royal status and the significant role she played in ensuring the development of the Ga state.

Mr. Sylvester Jude Kpakpo Parker Allotey, Chief of Protocol and Communications of the Ga Traditional Council, who disclosed some arrangements slated for the occasion, also assured residents that the funeral will come off as planned, with all the trappings of royalty and confirmed the invitation of some foreign dignitaries who would attend the final funeral rites.

He said residents in Ga State were expected to fully comply with the directives when issued, as they formed part of the customs and traditions of the people of the area and also a way of giving the Queen Mother a befitting farewell.

Former Attorney-General, Nii Ayikoi Otoo revealed the schedule and programme of activities that will highlight the final funeral rites of the Naa Dedei Omaedru III.

The longest-serving Queen Mother of the Ga State died on December 26, 2022, aged 88.

Naa Dedei Omaedru III, known in private life as Naa Dedei Ablah, was born in 1934. She was enstooled Ga Manye in 1963 aged 29. In 2016, she left Ghana for the USA and stayed for five years.

On April 14, 2021, Naa Dedei Omaedru III returned to Ghana and received a grand reception from a high-powered delegation led by Nii Adote Otintor II, the Acting President of the Ga Traditional Council.

She reigned for nearly six decades (59 years).

By: Isaac Clottey