By Nicholas Osei-Wusu
A large crowd of mourners and well-wishers converged on the Amaniampong Silver Stool Palace at Asante Mampong to pay their last respects to the late Mamponghene, Daasebre Osei Bonsu II, whose body lay in state on Day Two of the traditional Asante burial rites, known as ‘Dɔte Yie’.
Among those present was Ghana’s immediate past Vice President, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, who was accompanied by current and former Members of Parliament, ex-government appointees, and senior figures of the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP), led by Ashanti Regional Chairman Bernard Antwi Boasiako.
The group filed past the body of the late Daasebre Osei Bonsu II, known in private life as Saint Oswald Gyimah Kesse, before consoling his widow, Oheneyere Janet Gyimah Kesse, the Mamponmanghemaa, Nana Agyakoma Difie, and other members of the Mampong Traditional Council.
Also in attendance were paramount chiefs from the Western, Central, Bono, and Upper East Regions, along with a delegation from the National House of Chiefs, led by its president, Ogyeahohuo Yaw Gyebi, who is also the Paramount Chief of the Sefwi Anhwiaso Traditional Area in the Western North Region.
Notable traditional leaders at the ceremony included the Oguamanhene, Osaberima Kwasi Atta, the Chief of Akwamu, Odeneho Kwafo Akoto, and his counterpart from Manfe in the Eastern Region. Delegations from the Bawku Traditional Area and Wenchi in the Bono Region were also present.
Other mourners included old students of Prempeh College, members of various religious denominations, and local sympathisers.
The National House of Chiefs made a donation of GHS 72,000, while the NPP delegation led by Dr Bawumia presented GHS 100,000.
The mortal remains of the late Dasebre Osei Bonsu II will be interred at the Mampong Royal Mausoleum at midnight on Monday, 9 June 2025, after the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, pays his final respects and performs the traditional rites for his second-in-command and head of the Nifa Division of the Asanteman Traditional Council.
