Since the announcement by the president Nana Addo-Dankwa Akuffo-Addo of further restrictions on social activities as part of measures to fight against the spread of the Corona Virus pandemic (Covid-19), some Ghanaians have expressed worry, particularly about the organization of funerals, which according to the president’s announcement, could be organized by only twenty five people.
According to some members of the public, unlike sporting activities such as football where only twenty five percent of supporters of the total capacity of a stadia would be allowed to watch a match at stadium, according to the president’s announcement, which they might breach the Covid-19 protocols, organization of funerals can be controlled with all the safety protocols such as washing and sanitizing of the hands, wearing of nose masks as well as observing of social distancing adhered to. Recent to add their concern to the call are the Chief of Gomoa Mangoase, Ogyefo Nana Amoako II and the Chief of Mahodwe who is also the Gyaasehene of the Agona Nyakrom Traditional Area, Nana Kwame Donkor II.
According to the traditional rulers, funerals are organized as a sign of a last respect for the deceased and it is attended by people from far and near, and as such organizing it with only twenty five people is a Herculean problem to deal with, and have therefore appealed to the government to at least ease the restrictions concerning funerals to allow some more people to attend, with all the protocols adhered to.
They contended that the first announcement when the pandemic first broke out a year ago adversely affected traditional cultural practices such as funerals, with most families burying their dear ones they way they did not deserve. Since the firsth report of the disease in Wuhan in China a year ago it has affected all aspects of life worldwide, with some countries recording increased cases in death. Ghana began witnessing spike in the rate of infection immediately after the Christmas festivities, but some have attributed the situation to the organization of political activities at the heat to the elections on Dec.7, 2020.
By Robert Ayanful