Zongo chiefs in Kumasi worried about encroachment of cemetery

Kumasi, Feb 7, GNA- Zongo communities in the Kumasi Metropolis, have expressed dissatisfaction about the encroachment of a land earmarked for the burial of Muslims within the Tafo public cemetery. Addressing a news conference in Kumasi, attended by all the sectional chiefs in the communities on Monday, Chief Ahmed Ibrahim, President of Zongo chiefs in Kumasi, said construction work on the disputed piece of land had desecrated 73 graves.

He said the destruction of the cemetery, which was a sacred place for the dead, was unreligious because Islam forbids the tampering of tombs.

Chief Ibrahim appealed to the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, the Ashanti Regional Security Council and the KMA to stop the encroachment to avert bloodshed.

Mr Joseph Frimpong, the caretaker of the cemetery had confirmed that an unknown land developer was encroaching upon the land, although he had not received any official notice.

He said the KMA had instructed him to cause the arrest of anyone behind the encroachment.

Mr Frimpong said the Tafohene, Nana Agyin Frimpong visited the cemetery and promised to report the matter to the Asantehene for the necessary action to be taken.