The Ghana Education Service (GES) has directed that all schools in the Ashanti Region be closed on Thursday for the final funeral and burial rites of the late Asantehemaa Afia Kobi Serwaa Ampem II.
The directive comes as the Kumasi Metropolis prepares to go on a lock-down from 7pm on Thursday till 4am on Friday.
Within the period, residents are expected to stay indoors as the body of the late Asantehemaa, Nana Afia Kobi Serwaa Ampem II is moved to the Bantama Mausoleum (Ban mu) and later to the Breman Mausoleum for burial.
All shops and offices have already been closed in Kumasi and no commercial activity is taking place, including within the Central Business District of Adum.
Even the police in Kumasi say their men will not patrol the streets between 7pm on Thursday and 4am on Friday.
Nana Afia Kobi Serwaa Ampem II, the mother of Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, King of the Asante, died at the age of 111 after she reigned for 39 years.
Her burial on Thursday will end the four-day funeral rites.