In the coastal town of Lower Axim, in the Western Region and across much of the country, funerals are more than moments of grief.
They are social events, deeply woven into community life. Mourners arrive in large numbers, food and drinks flow freely, and music fills the air. But behind the pageantry lies a financial strain where families often take out large loans to stage grand ceremonies, sometimes leaving them with crippling debts.
Now, the Lower Axim Traditional Council is proposing an unusual solution where guests will have to present their donation receipts based on which they will be served and according to the size of their donations.
Council leaders say this arrangement would help curb the growing number of disputes brought before them over unpaid funeral debts, a problem they describe as both wasteful and avoidable.
At a recent Council meeting, Paramount Chief Awulae Attibrukusu III lamented the “uncomfortable instances” in which the Council is forced to mediate such cases.
“It is depressing to have to sit for long hours resolving loan disputes for funerals when such time could be devoted to discussing and finding solutions to the myriad development challenges facing communities under my care,” he said.
Funerals in the country often serve as public display of respect, with families feeling pressured to match or exceed the scale of past ceremonies. Lavish receptions, elaborate coffins, and the expectation to feed hundreds of mourners contribute to escalating costs. In many cases, expenses far outstrip what the bereaved can afford.
“People donate little, yet take more than their share of food and souvenirs,” Awulae Attibrukusu III noted. “In the end, there’s a problem. While I condemn such acts, it is also important for bereaved families to be measured in what they provide at funerals—especially when they are relying on loans to finance them.”
Ban on Roadside Funerals
The Paramount Chief also announced an immediate ban on funerals being held on public roads, citing the inconvenience caused to motorists.
“Funerals will no longer be organized on roads; they will be held at community parks,” he said. “The inconvenience of having to change your driving route unexpectedly because of a funeral is too much. We will also ensure that all funerals are conducted in a single day and at one location, so we don’t have two services at different venues at the same time.”
The Council is in discussions with the Nzema East Municipal Assembly to draft by-laws to formalize the new arrangements and empower authorities to prosecute violators.
