Traditional Leaders Criticised For Failure To Oversee Dead Body Handling

A respected life counsellor and historian, Brother N.N Nyarko, has criticised traditional leaders, known as Nananom, for their alleged failure to ensure dignified handling of dead bodies in communities.

Speaking on Plan B FM’s “Nyamesom Mmerɛ” show, hosted by Odiamono Kwaku Gyimah, Brother Nyarko expressed concerns over the lack of effective oversight by Nananom, leading to disrespectful treatment of deceased individuals.

According to Brother Nyarko, Nananom’s inaction has emboldened some individuals to handle dead bodies with disregard for cultural and societal norms.

“Nananom have the power to dictate how funerals are run, but their inaction has emboldened some individuals to handle the dead with disrespect,” he stated.

Morticians, including John Okoh Ampah, CEO of Finora Transition and Decor, shared their experiences in handling deceased individuals, highlighting the challenges of working with accident victims.

“The most scariest body to work on is the accident ones but with the help and intervention of God, we are able to work on them,” he revealed.

John Okoh Ampah also noted that families of the deceased often contact them for guidance on how to handle the bodies of their loved ones, particularly in terms of the styles they want based on the deceased’s profession or status.

“It is never our prayer that people die so we get work to do, but death is part of life and it is also beneficial to man,” he added.

He credited his mother for instilling in him the profession at age nine and teaching him to use Florida water and prayers in all his doings to protect himself against spiritual harm.

In a related perspective, Omare Ransford, CEO of Ose Locals, manufacturers of local drinks, observed that while child christenings used to be a significant business booster, funerals have now become the primary source of revenue due to the respect people accord the dead.

“Child christening used to boost business, but funerals have taken over due to the last respect people accord the dead,” he said.

Longman/Planbfmonline.com