Traditional Authorities charged to ban excessiveness in the performance of funerals

16-08-2011

Traditional Authorities of Northern Ghana have been challenged to institute measures that would prune the excessiveness in the performances of funerals since resources and monies channeled into the performance of funerals deepens the existing chronic poverty situation in the three regions of the north. Speaking to Radio Ghana at Bolgatanga, a Programmes Manager, Centre for Youth Welfare and Development, Alagskoma Asakeya Noble, said there was nothing wrong about the performances of funerals since it was part of the country’s culture, but the way and manner in which they are performed gives a cause to worry. Funerals performed in the region, he stated, are usually carried out in the month of March, April and May, which unfortunately is the peak of the hunger. It is also a period where the deadly Cerebro-spinal Meningitis occurs due to the excessive heat experienced in the region. Most often children of school going and teenagers as young as 13 years of age participate in funeral activities and are sometimes seen smoking and taking alcoholic beverages openly. According to him, the playing of record dances during funeral hours also serves as a fertile ground for sexual promiscuity leading to teenage pregnancy among girls. Hooliganism, absenteeism and substance abuse moreover becomes the other of the day. Students who attend such activities also engage in all sorts of vices at the neglect of their books, thus contributing to a total decline in their academic performance. Parents on the contrary he noted, permit their wards to attend such activities, notwithstanding the dire consequences. They prefer spending much money on funerals rather than investing in their wards education. The situation, he complained compels some school children to migrate down south to search for greener pastures in order to earn income to settle their school fees. Mr. Asakeya Noble, therefore suggested to the President of the Northern Ghana House of Chiefs to as a matter of concern direct families to perform funerals by the end of January every year, and also impose a ban of the playing of record during funerals. He further challenged traditional leaders to intervene swiftly to help save the region’s rich culture from total extinction and said posterity will never forgive us if we throw our rich culture in place of other peoples culture.
GBC END IA/