The Akwamu Traditional Council has given family of the late Harry Sawyerr up to the end of this week to amend the funeral programme or face disruption of the funeral slated for December 21, this year.

According to the council, the late Harry Sawyerr, known to them as Barima Akoto Djan III, was a royal of the Akwamu traditional family but were not consulted in the preparation for the funeral.

This morning, a delegation from Akwamu stormed the residence of the late Harry Sawyerr to lodge a protest that they are being sidelined.

Speaking to JOY NEWS after their meeting with Harry Sawyerr’s family, Nana Yaw Buadu IV, Kyidomhene and Acting President of the Akwamu Traditional Council noted "we are not happy because we are part of the family. Barima Akoto Adjan III is an Akwamu. He is the Otublohum Akwamuhene. During the 50th anniversary of Odinuho Kwafo Akoto II, he was elevated to the status of Barima Akoto Djan".

The Kyidomhene further indicated that by their custom, the late Harry Sawyerr is the Akwamu representative in Otublohum and should therefore be contacted in arranging for his burial if he is dead.

Nana Yaw Buadu IV also noted that since the family failed to contact the Akwamu in drawing up the burial arrangement of their kinsman, they went to the residence to express their grievance and anger towards "the way they are handling the burial of our brother Barimah Akoto Djan".

Meanwhile, President John Mahama has announced conclusion of plans for the state funeral for the late Harry Sawyerr.

"This funeral is our funeral. It is for all of us and not the family alone. We all bear the grief of his passing and then we will all do whatever we have to do and actively participate in giving him a befitting farewell. It has been decided that we give him a state burial and so I just wanted to inform the family. Once you indicated the date and formally inform the Chief of Staff, he will activate the processes that allow us to give this citizen a befitting farewell", President John Mahama indicated.

President Mahama further added that the late Harry Sawyerr was a holder of the Order of the Volta, the highest medal of recognition in the country and therefore will be given a state burial.

"I just want to tell the family that we are together with you in this moment and stand by you and make sure that whatever needs to be done to respect the memories of this great man, we will do", he mourned.