Widow files writ to restrain the burial of late husband

Kumasi, March 17, GNA - Madam Mary Serwaah Akoto, widow of the late Mr Anthony Kwau Opoku, owner of the Sand Gardens Hotel at Bolgatanga, has filed a writ at a Kumasi High Court restraining the family of her late husband from burying his corpse without performing the customary rites pertaining to widowhood.

She is also seeking relief from the court that all announcements concerning the funeral of her late husband should mention her name as the legitimate widow and the names of their children too as mourners. In an affidavit in support of a motion, Madam Akoto said she was the rightful wife of the late Anthony Kwaku Opoku and had children with him.

She said she had had information that the family of her late husband had taken possession of his dead body and were making preparations to bury him without her knowledge as custom demanded. Madam Akoto said she had also had information that the family of her late husband had caused funeral announcements to be made in one of the local radio stations in Kumasi without mentioning her name as the widow.

She said as a rightful widow, she and her children's rights were protected by the PNDCL 111 and together with the children were entitled to one house and to three-fourth of her late husband's estate.

Madam Akoto said in view of the provisions in the PNDCL 111, her interest and that of their children in the estate of her late husband were far greater than the interest of the family in the said estate.