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LAST week Thursday, November 17, 2016 the Kumasi Traditional Council placed a ban on all funerals in Ashanti Kingdom until the burial of the late Asantehemaa, Nana Afia Kobi Serwaa Ampem II.

THE decision was taken after an emergency meeting by the Council following the official announcement by Manhyia Palace of the death of the mother of the Asantehene. 

SIMILARLY a ban has also been placed on drumming and noise making throughout the Asanteman Kingdom. Nana Afia Kobi Serwaa Ampem II died on Monday, 14, 2016 at the age of 111, after reigning for 39 years.

AN official statement by the Manhyia Palace announced that the traditional one week rites will be performed at Manhyia on Thursday, November 24th, 2016. 

AS much as Today respects our rich traditions and culture, some of them must be critically looked at again since traditions and customs must serve the people and ensure their wellbeing. 

WE have gone past the days where a town crier could announce a ban on all activities when someone from the royal family visited our ancestors. We now live in a society where everyone is busy making ends meet.

THOUGH as Ghanaians we recognise that death comes at a time when one least expects and therefore couldn’t have planned.

HOWEVER, the Asanteman Council should have also considered families, organisations and individuals who have planned their programmes months ahead of the ban.

SOME people may have to travel all over the world to attend a programme only to be told at the eleventh hour about the ban. Imagine the inconvenience(s) and other economic cost to such families.

THE Council could have announced or given an ultimatum to families and individuals to organise their planned programmes in a week or two. After all, our grandmother has already left us. 

HER one week celebration and even her funeral should have waited for some time. It also comes at a time when most political parties are busy engaging the electorate to solicit votes in the upcoming 2016 general elections. Most of them had planned their programmes before the demise of our late queen mother.  

IT is important to note that a lot of planned events towards the festive season now have to be cancelled. 

LIKE the traditional Ga ban on drumming and dancing, it is an annual ritual and everybody is aware when it is approaching and so plans towards that. 

IT beats our imagination why some of these inconsiderate customs and traditions are still being practised. 

WE agree that our late queen mother was the pillar of strength and source of wisdom behind the transformational reign of His Majesty, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, Asantehene and sympathise with the entire nation.

BUT her grandchildren should celebrate her in peace and love not with huge debts as a result of ban on social activities within the entire Ashanti Kingdom.

THE financial toll on individual families who may have to cancel or shelve their own plans for other events could be enormous.  Modifications to some of our traditions need to be looked at in this twenty first century, especially where they infringe on the rights and interests of others.