Thousands pay final tribute to the late Obaapayin Nana Afrah

A Life of Grace, Royal Dignity, and Service to Tradition Honoured in Grand Funeral at Apremdo

Apremdo, Western Region — The ancient royal town of Apremdo was draped in regal splendour over the weekend as family, traditional authorities, and mourners from across Africa gathered to celebrate the life of the late Obaapayin Nana Afrah, mother of Nana Egya Kwamina XI, the Divisional Chief of Apremdo. Her burial rites were marked with the full dignity befitting a matriarch of the stool.

The funeral, held from Thursday to Sunday, drew unprecedented attendance, including the President of Western Regional House of Chiefs, Nana Kobena Nketsia V, Paramount Chief of Esikado, reflecting a rare display of solidarity that elevated the ceremony to the stature of a royal observance. From the rhythmic roll of fontomfrom drums to the solemn pouring of libation, the rites reflected the deep respect accorded to a woman whose grace, generosity, and quiet strength shaped her family and community alike.

Royal Presence and Traditional Grandeur

The arrival of Paramount Chiefs and senior queenmothers from surrounding traditional areas transformed the Apremdo palace forecourt into a gathering of the custodians of Akan heritage. Adorned in rich kente cloth and gold ornaments, the chiefs sat in state, their umbrellas lowered in reverence as they paid their last respects.

Cultural groups rendered dirges and adowa performances, while ntahera horns announced the presence of royalty. The palace courtyards echoed with the solemn cadence of drum poetry recounting Obaapayin Nana Afrah’s lineage and her enduring contributions to the stool house.

Tributes from Family and Community

In a moving tribute, her youngest son, Dr. Mark Eghan Nana, described his late mother as “the silent pillar behind every stride of progress,” noting that “her wisdom anchored the family through the storms of leadership.”

Family members and close associates spoke of a woman whose hospitality and moral strength earned her reverence far beyond her immediate household. “She welcomed everyone with dignity, guided with quiet firmness, and lived her faith in the values of respect and communal service,” one elder recounted.

Customary Rites and Spiritual Significance

True to Akan royal tradition, the funeral combined both spiritual and civic elements. The late Obaapayin Nana Afrah was laid in state for three days in stately regalia, surrounded by symbolic emblems of womanhood, motherhood, and lineage continuity.

Libation was poured to invite the ancestors’ guidance, and the chief priests performed purification rites at dawn before interment. The gun salutes that followed her burial signified the community’s final salute to a matriarch whose life bridged generations.

Dignitaries and Public Attendance

Among the notable mourners were Paramount Chiefs, Divisional Chiefs, Members of Parliament, government officials, staff from international organisations, clergy, business leaders, and well-wishers from Sierra Leone, Nigeria, Liberia, and Italy.

Thanksgiving and Legacy

The funeral climaxed on Sunday with a thanksgiving service attended by traditional rulers, dignitaries, and community members dressed in white, symbolising peace and gratitude. The officiating minister called on the congregation to emulate the late matriarch’s humility and devotion to communal harmony.

Obaapayin Nana Afrah is survived by five children and several grandchildren. Her memory, family members affirmed, will be enshrined not only in lineage history but also in the collective heart of the Apremdo state.

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