The Vice-President, Alhaji Dr Mahamodu Bawumia last Wednesday visited the Manhyia Palace to commiserate with the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II and Asanteman as they mourned their departing Queen.
In a black apparel and flanked by his wife, Samira Bawumia, the second lady who also wore same signifying the mourning mood, the Vice-President filed past the body of the departing Queen some few minutes after 3pm.
Followed by some large group of mourners who surprisingly turned the place to a cheering party after paying his last respect to the Queen, Dr Bawumia returned to the funeral grounds 
where the Asanteman Overlord was seated in State.
Turning the grounds to a state of frenzy and wild cheers while taking time to greet all chiefs who were seated in the stands mounted, the Vice-President returned to his seat where in an act of reciprocity in the Ashanti culture a befitting welcome was accorded him by Otumfuo through his chief linguist, Nana Nsuase Poku Agyeman.
MOOD AT GROUNDS:
Seated on the dais wearing his famous infectious smile, Dr Bawumia received a long queue of high profile personalities including foreign dignitaries who took turns to greet.
Occasionally waving at the crowd with a forced smile, the Vice-President received loud cheers from the large numbers that had converged on the Manhyia Palace.
Led by the famous and flamboyant Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Bernard Antwi-Boasiako and the Regional Women’s Organizer, Nana Ama Ampomah as well as other regional party executives, Dr Bawumia left the grounds some few minutes to 5pm.
Having a scheduled meeting to attend with the President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo who is hosting the King of Morocco , the Vice-President with his entourage drove off to the Kumasi Airport to take a flight back to Accra, the Nation’s capital.
OTHER DIGNITARIES:
Also making a memorable appearance at the Manhyia Palace earlier on in the day was the immediate-past president of the Republic, John Dramani Mahama.
Joining him to commiserate with the Asante Overlord was the former Deputy Chief of Staff, Julius Debrah and some former government officials including the former State Housing Manager, Dr Samuel Sarpong and former Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives.
The Speaker of Parliament, Professor Mike Aaron Ocquaye, the first and second Deputy Speakers of parliament as well as other members of parliament also made an impressive appearance to the funeral grounds to sympathize with Otumfuo Osei Tutu II and Asanteman.
Forming the largest queue ever at the grounds, the over 275 MPs and their leaders took turns to greet the Asantehene who had sat in State and welcoming visitors.
