The Oguaa Traditional Council has banned funeral activities in the area in preparation for the visit of US President Barack Obama. Obama is scheduled to visit the Central Regional capital, Cape Coast, on July 11 2008 as part of his three-day historic visit to Ghana. He will arrive in Ghana on Friday evening and depart on Sunday. The chiefs and people of Cape Coast are expected to hold a brief durbar in honour of Mr Obama and wife Michelle on Saturday. “They would visit the palace of the Oguaa Omanhen, Osabarimba Kwesi Atta II, who would sit in state with his sub-chiefs to receive the American First Family. The chiefs would honour Mrs Obama with the title of a queen. Afterward, they would visit the Cape Coast Castle,” the Communications Director at the Presidency, Mr Koku Anyidoho told Daily Graphic. The American First Family would also visit the palace of the Oguaa Omanhen, while Mrs Obama will be 'installed' a queen (who traces her ancestry to West Africa). Afterward, they would visit the Cape Coast Castle. Osabarimba Kwesi Atta II, President of the Oguaa Traditional Council, explained to Joy News' Dzifa Bampoe that the durbar ground and routes that would be used by the President are close to some popular centres whose activities may disturb the visit. “The position of the Traditional council, and with President Obama’s visit, the town would be in a happy atmosphere; there would be a procession of chiefs along the principal streets. “We know how we conduct our funerals in Ghana and with this joyous occasion going on, the two of them, that is the funeral and this kind of occasion cannot be reconciled – we cannot have a funeral when we are in a procession to prepare to receive President Obama.” The ban is however valid for the period of Obama's visit. Story by Isaac Essel/Myjoyonline.com