Osagyefuo Amoatia Ofori Panin, the Okyenhene, has outlawed private burials conducted at homes and on personal land.
According to the Okyebhene, the cemetery is the proper burial place, stressing that private burials conducted at homes and on personal land contravene the customs and traditions of his jurisdiction.
The Okyenhene detailed that the increasing use of boreholes in homes makes the practice a health concern.
Osagyefuo Amoatia Ofori Panin further detailed that all district assemblies within Akyem Abuakwa will be formally notified.
Also disclosing that chiefs are the custodians of the land, which prevents the assemblies from granting permits for burials in private homes.
In a viral video shared on X, Osagyefuo Amoatia Ofori Panin stated, “From now on, no one should bury their relatives in private homes. The cemetery is the proper place for burial.
In this modern era, where people even drill boreholes at home for water, burying someone in the house is not appropriate. It goes against Akyeman customary rules to bury relatives at home. Find a way to lay the dead to rest in cemeteries, not in homes”.
In related news, Rev Ankrah, the spokesperson for the Gborbu Wulomo-Shitse, has told the family of the late Highlife legend Daddy Lumba that they must perform traditional rites to pacify the gods of the Ga Dangme land.
According to the Ga Dangme leaders, it is dirty to have dead bodies come closer to their deities.
Rev Ankrah further explained that the laws of Ghana and Ga Adangbe don’t allow Daddy Lumba to be buried at home, adding that Lumba’s family must pacify the gods.
Beyond the spiritual concerns, he further cited that burying a body in a residential environment could raise potential health and environmental issues.
Speaking on March 12, 2026, in a video shared on X, Rev Ankrah explained, “It is dirty to have dead bodies coming closer to our deities, and the spirits around us do not permit that. If you do that, you have to pacify not just the land but the deities and traditional leadership that have control over the territory where this body has been buried”.
“We will extend invitation to the same family. Whether they have a family head or not, they appear here. If the body is removed from the soil, they would still have to pacify the deities of the land and the community. And then answer questions that we are going to put to them,” he stated.
Meanwhile, the Overlord of GaDangme has summoned the family head of the late Daddy Lumba, Abusuapanyin Kofi Owusu, commonly known as Abusuapanyin Tupac.
According to the Ga chiefs, Abusuapanyin Tupac has been summoned in connection with reports and confirmation by Lumba’s family head that the late singer was laid to rest in his private residence in East Legon.
On March 10, 2026, in a letter, the office of Gborbu Wulomo-Shitsɛ, Nungua traditional area, directed Abusuapanyin Tupac to appear before Wor Lumor Konor Nuumo Borkete Laweh Tsuru at the palace in Nungua on March 13, 2026, at 11:30 am.
Parts of the letter read, “This summons arises in connection with reports and public concerns regarding the alleged burial of the late Charles Kojo Fosu (Daddy Lumba) at his private residence located in East Legon, Accra,” part of the statement read.
“As the Family Head (Abusuapanyin) of the late Charles Kojo Fosu, your presence is required to provide the necessary explanation and engagement on the matter in accordance with customary protocols and to assist in addressing the concerns raised”.
“Your cooperation in this matter is highly expected in the interest of maintaining harmony, respect for tradition, and peaceful resolution of the issues raised. Kindly treat this summons with the urgency and respect it deserves,” the statement further indicated.
The development follows Abusuapanyin Tupac, who has said people claiming they do not know where the late musician was buried are telling lies.
According to Abusuapanyin Tupac, people are claiming ignorance about the burial site when they choose not to attend the singer’s funeral.
Abusuapanyin Tupac further confirmed earlier claims by Afia Schwarzenegger, who stated Daddy Lumba was buried at his residence in East Legon, Accra.
He detailed that Daddy Lumba was buried at his residence in East Legon in accordance with his dying wish.
Watch the video below:
The Okyehene, Osagyefuo Amoatia Ofori Panin, has outlawed private burials conducted at homes and on personal lands, stressing that such practices contravene the customs and traditions of his jurisdiction.
— EDHUB🌍ℹ (@eddie_wrt) March 28, 2026
His directive reinforces adherence to established burial rites within… pic.twitter.com/4JhhM8TWDR