State to bury victims of coronavirus - Minister

Families whose relatives died as a result of the deadly coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic would not be allowed to bury their dead without the involvement of the state.

As at Monday, March 30, 2020, afternoon, the Ghana Health Service has confirmed that five persons have died of Coronavirus in Ghana out of the 152 who tested positive for the virus. Two persons have so far recovered.

Government has, at least, communicated to the family members of one of the dead that the body cannot be released to them, not even for private preservation.

“We regret to inform you that according to our Public Health Regulations, persons who died in such instances are strictly handled and buried by the State,” Health Minister, Kwaku Agyeman Manu told one of the families on Friday, March 27, 2020 in Accra.

The Minister stated in response to families demanding the remains of their loved ones that “unfortunately we are unable to grant your request”.

One of the victims was a Ghanaian who lived in the Netherlands for 22 years prior to his relocation to Ghana. He had a master’s in Strategic Management from the University of Tilburg, the Netherlands, and a bachelor’s degree in Marketing. He was a banker by profession.