Huge Farewell for Henry Kweku Banning Held in Kumasi
Family, kin and friends gather in Kumasi to lay to rest Big Henry across a week of rites
The sudden loss of Henry Kweku Banning, affectionately called Big Henry, has set Kumasi into a solemn mood as his family and close kin make final preparations for the funeral rites. The 74‑year‑old, originally from Aburi in the Eastern Region but who spent most of his life in the Ashanti capital, died on Friday, 26 June 2026 at his Adaukrom home in Kumasi. His death has touched many who knew him as a humble trader and community pillar.
Preparations began on Saturday, 3 October 2026 with a pre‑burial and filing past at St. Mary Mother of God Catholic Church in Kaase, where relatives and well‑wishers filed through the premises from 6:00 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. The main memorial and burial service followed at the same church at 9:00 a.m., after which the interment was kept private. These events gave the community a chance to honour the departed in line with Catholic tradition.
The final funeral rites are scheduled for the same day, Saturday, 3 October 2026, at Gyamfuah Asenso Park opposite the Asokwa Police Station in Asokwa, Kumasi, running from 1:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. A Thanksgiving Service will be held on Sunday, 4 October 2026 at St. Mary Mother of God Catholic Church, Kaase, starting at 8:00 a.m., followed by a family gathering at the same park from 1:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. The dress code asks attendees to wear black or black with a touch of red on Saturday and black with white on Sunday.
All relatives, friends and sympathizers are invited to join the family in this passage. The late Henry Kweku Banning is survived by his wife, Mrs. Mary Banning, and their children, including Linda Pokuaa Akowuah in Ejisu, Nana Kofi Peprah Banning in Germany, Mrs. Diana Maame Esi Asabre in Germany, and Mrs. Bridget Ewurama Ben‑Mahmoud in Accra.
