Trespassers given two weeks to quit cemeteries

Over 50 trespassers identified in three major cemeteries in Accra have been given a two-week ultimatum by the Accra Metropolitan Assembly to quit or face prosecution.

The trespassers operating as masons and gravediggers have allocated to themselves portions of the cemeteries and charge illegal fees ranging from 100,000 to 500,000 cedis.

Mr Emmanuel Akrofi Bruce, Acting Director of the Metropolitan Public Health Department issued the ultimatum when he visited the cemeteries at Osu, La and Awudome following reports about the illegal operation of the trespassers.

Mr Bruce said their operation has given rise to criminal activities in the cemeteries including grave looting.

He said the trespassers also direct mourners to bury their corpses at wrong places, creating confusion between mourners and the AMA staff.

The trespassers pleaded with the AMA for more time to wind up their affairs since some of them have entered into contracts with people to dig graves for them.