Apremdo (WR), March 24, – The Chief of Apremdo in the Western Region, Nana Egya Kwamina XI, has reaffirmed the community’s ban on wake-keeping activities, citing concerns over rising indiscipline and social vices.
Concerns Over Night Vigils
According to the Chief, night vigils preceding burials have often been marked by violence, alcohol abuse, and drug use, particularly among the youth.
He noted that many of those involved are not directly related to bereaved families, yet dominate such gatherings, sometimes leading to teenage pregnancies and other social challenges within the community.
New Funeral Constitution
Nana Egya Kwamina reiterated the directive during a community engagement session on a newly developed funeral constitution, titled:
The policy provides structured guidelines for:
- Management of funeral contributions
- Accountability for funds mobilised since 2024
- Organisation of funeral rites within the community
Financial Accountability and Support
The funeral committee has so far:
- Generated GH¢149,000 in contributions
- Disbursed GH¢56,600 as bursaries to 18 beneficiaries
Monthly dues will increase from GH¢4 to GH¢5 to support the acquisition of chairs and sound systems for community use.
Key Regulations
Under the new framework:
- Wake-keeping remains banned
- All deaths must be reported to the Palace and committee secretary
- Final funeral rites will be held every three months
- Funerals will take place at the community centre only
- Laying in state begins at 4:00 am, with burial before 12:00 pm
Additionally, participation in “Oman Ayie” is compulsory, with defaulters required to pay a GH¢3,000 penalty.
Governance Structure
The funeral committee will serve two terms, with members drawn from:
- Family or clan heads
- Clan secretaries
- Obaapanyin (queen mothers)
- Appointees of the Palace
Promoting Order and Unity
Nana Egya Kwamina emphasised that the measures are intended to restore order, promote discipline, and strengthen unity within the Apremdo community.
No comments:
Post a Comment