Final Rites for Asantehemaa Take Unexpected Turn as Tourist Faces Unusual Demand
- A British tourist encountered an Asante executioner who demanded payment for recording him during the funeral rites
- The executioner, wearing traditional attire, insisted the tourist pay for filming the sacred ceremony at Manhyia Palace
- Social media users condemned the act, calling it disgraceful and a poor representation of Ghanaian hospitality and culture
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A British tourist found himself in an unexpected exchange after an Asante traditional executioner confronted him during the final funeral rites of the late Asantehemaa at Manhyia Palace.
Source: Twitter
In the video sparking reactions on social media, the scene unfolded when the yet-to-be-identified British man took hold of his camera to record the funeral rites.
The man seated inside his vehicle was busy recording when the Asante traditional executioner confronted him, demanding something in return for allowing him to record the celebratory event in Kumasi.
The executioner was adorned in his customary attire made of dried leaves and red fabric. The tourist, seemingly taken aback, responded with a mix of curiosity and denial.
The executioner insisted, maintaining his stance that payment had to be made. This interaction highlights a disturbing yet growing trend where locals, like the traditional figure, expect compensation for being filmed or photographed by tourists.
The recently concluded funeral rites of Nana Konadu Yiadom III were not just a mourning event but a celebration of Ashanti heritage, featuring elaborate rituals, drumming, and public mourning.
Watch the video of the executioner trying to extort money from the British tourist below:
Executioners enforce discipline during funeral rites
In a similar event, YEN.com.gh reported that a group of traditional executioners, known as Abrafoɔ, stormed the streets of Adum in Kumasi to enforce a strict lockdown announced during the funeral rites of the late Asantehemaa, Nana Konadu Yiadom III.
The funeral began on September 14 and ended on September 18, 2025. Videos circulating online show the enforcers dressed in black, wielding canes, and chasing residents who flouted the restrictions imposed by the Manhyia Palace.
Source: Instagram
The lockdown was part of the cultural protocols observed for the queen mother's final farewell; she passed away on August 7, 2025.
Watch the moment the executioners stormed the streets below:
Reactions to executioner demanding payment from tourist
YEN.com.gh collected reactions from Ghanaians who watched the video on X. Some of the comments are below.
@SamTuga44 said:
"It was at this point ɔbrafoɔ realised there was more to life than smoking people. Money must be made. 🤣🤣🤣"
@KOD_Jnr wrote:
"These disgraceful people are always around.😏"
@OsmanJamal15 commented:
"Wrong impression to give a foreigner 🤦🏾♂️💔 such a disgrace."
@homemadecartel wrote:
"That's how slavery started. Slavery is in Africans' DNA."
@LifeOfBoch said:
"This executioner fit take money den spare you. 😆"
@elikemdablor commented:
"Dem say go school, you say you go wear bush and hold sword.🤣🤣🤣"
Funeral rites: Special children at Manhyia Palace
YEN.com.gh had earlier reported that Children bearing the sacred Tepa Banie Adehye mark participated in the final funeral rites of Nana Konadu Yiadom III.
They wore white attire, symbolising their sacred status, during the funeral at Manhyia Palace in Kumasi.
The children performed a spiritual role, shaking hands with Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II in a cultural ceremony.
Proofreading by Samuel Gitonga, copy editor at YEN.com.gh.
Source: YEN.com.gh
