The Traditional Council of Manso Datano has banned the one-week funeral observance, effective Monday, October 6, 2026. The Queen Mother, Nana Nyame Pomaa, announced the move as a way to reduce the heavy financial burden funerals place on families in the community.
Nana Nyame Pomaa said the decision was made after thorough discussions among the traditional council, elders, and opinion leaders. They agreed that the modern practice of observing funerals for a week has driven up costs and caused many families to go into debt.
“In our ancestors’ time, there was nothing like one-week observation. This modern practice has made funerals very expensive,” she said.
She explained that families often have to borrow money or collect contributions to afford a one-week ceremony, which takes place before the actual burial and final funeral rites. The Queen Mother said this causes unnecessary financial strain and pushes some households into debt.
“We are going back to follow the footsteps of our ancestors. Families are forced to borrow, do contributions and spend a lot before the actual funeral. We want to ease that pressure,” Nana Nyame Pomaa added.
The council believes ending the one-week observance will bring back financial discipline and dignity to funeral customs in Manso Datano. The new directive has received full support from residents and families in the town.
Nana Nyame Pomaa warned that anyone who organizes a one-week funeral after October 6 will face customary sanctions from the traditional authorities. She urged all natives of Manso Datano, including those living abroad, to respect the law for the good of the community’s development.
Several residents told this reporter they welcome the ban. They said the move is timely given the current economic difficulties that make it hard for ordinary families to fund expensive funeral ceremonies.
They praised the traditional council for its leadership and called on other communities facing similar challenges to consider following Manso Datano’s example.
Funerals in Ghana have long been important social events that bring communities together. But the costs can be high, especially when ceremonies stretch over many days. Some families spend significant sums on food, drinks, decorations, and entertainment during extended funeral observances.
Manso Datano’s decision reflects growing concerns across the country about the rising expenses involved in holding funerals. By cutting out the one-week observation, the council hopes to relieve families from financial distress while preserving respect for the dead.
Nana Nyame Pomaa’s announcement makes Manso Datano one of the few communities to officially regulate funeral practices to ease economic pressure. How other traditional areas respond remains to be seen.
According to Joy Online.
