THE MORTAL remains of Madam Josephine Adutwumwaa Kankam, popularly called Auntie Adwoa – younger sibling of former President Kufuor – were laid to rest at the Royal Mausoleum at Dabaa, near Kumasi, last Saturday evening.
Auntie Adwoa died at the age of 67 on February 12, 2014 after a short illness.
The nicely dressed body of Auntie Adwoa was laid in state at the Apagyafie Saturday morning, and people from all walks of life came to pay their last respects to her. Some of them wailed uncontrollably as they filed past the motionless body of their beloved Auntie Adwoa.
Former President John Agyekum Kufuor and his wife, Theresa Kufuor as well as other family members namely, Dr. Kwame Addo Kufuor and Dr. Mathew Opoku Prempeh, aka ‘Napo’ the Manhyia South MP, were present.
Nana Owusu Afriyie IV, the Apagyahene, other traditional rulers, the clergy and ministers of the erstwhile New Patriotic Party (NPP) administration as well as some current Members of Parliament (MPs) from the various political parties, were also there to mourn with the bereaved family.
After hundreds of people had taken turns to pay their last respects to Auntie Adwoa, the body was sent to the St. Cyprians Anglican Church in Kumasi for a memorial service.
This solemn ceremony was graced by some renowned traditional rulers, including the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II.
The 2012 Presidential Candidate of the NPP, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and his running mate, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia; Alan Kyerematen; Kwadwo Mpiani; Dr. Owusu Afriyie Akoto, MP for Kwadaso and Bernard Antwi Boasiako aka ‘Wontumi,’ the Ashanti Regional NPP Chairman, were among the top politicians who were there to pay their last respects to Auntie Adwoa.
Her body was finally taken to Daaba near Kumasi, for interment at the Royal Mausoleum.