Gomoa Akyempim Traditional Council to save queen mother from mass burial

Obaatanpa Ama Eduwa I, the Vice President of the Gomoa Akyempim Traditional Council, is said to intervene and save the mortal remains of the late Nana Kofi Odum I, Gomoa Assin Nyimfahen, a sub-chief, who died from COVID-19 in February, from being buried amongst other COVID-19 patients who died in Cape Coast recently.

This is because Obrifo Ahunako Ahor Ankobea II, Omanhene and President of the Gomoa Akyempim Traditional Council has refused to sign a letter from the Ghana Health Service, which will allow the body of the late Chief of Gomoa Assin to be separated from other COVID patients and be buried according to customary rites.

GhanaWeb sources indicated that Obrifo Ahunako Ahor Ankobea II, who first received the news of the demise of the late Chief of Gomoa Assin, as custom demands, asked the family and children to pay an amount of GH¢3,000 amongst other customary arrangements which should have included an official letter from the Ghana Health Service for the release of the body to the family.

The source added that the children paid the said amount but upon realizing that no action was taken, sought the help of the Omanhene’s Queenmother, who is also the Vice President of the Council to facilitate the release process.

Obaatanpa Ama Eduwa I, who later got to know about her Chief’s demands from the family decided to refer the matter to the Divisional Chief responsible for such matters, the Guantuahen who is also Chief of Gomoa Abonyin, Nana Osuan Asare VI, because the Omanhene had remained adamant to their concerns.

Nana Osuan Asare VI together with the family of the deceased managed to bring conclusion to the matter by assisting Ghana Health Service and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) with the necessary details to hasten action on the matter.

The EPA requested a letter from the Gomoa Akyempim Traditional Council to enable them to release the body and supervise the burial of the Nifahen.

The Omanhene, Obrifo Ahunako Ahor Ankobea II has refused to sign the letter on grounds that the family of the deceased have breached royal protocol by seeking the intervention of Obaatanpa Ama Eduwa I, and the support of Daasebre Kwebu Ewusi VII (Former Vice President, of the Central Regional House of Chiefs).

Speaking to GhanaWeb in a telephone interview, Nana Osuan Asare VI said, “What we did was a humanitarian job and it does not mean we wanted to undermine the authority of Obrifo Ahunako Ahor Ankobea II.”

Upon further deliberations with Obrifo Ahunako Ahor Ankobea II, the Omanhene, demanded that the family should inform Obaatanpa Ama Eduwa I, and Nana Osuan Asare VI, together with all those who brought expediency to the issue apologise to him before he signs the letter.

Obaatanpa Ama Eduwa I, has refused to heed or comment on the issue and has reported the matter to the Central Regional House Chiefs to intervene and expedite the burial rites.