The Anlo Traditional Council has expressed outrage because it has not been involved in the funeral arrangements of former President Jerry John Rawlings.
The council says the arrangements are not in accordance with the customs and traditions of the Anlo people and it thus feels disrespected.
“The statement as released is a total affront to the Anlo custom, traditions, usage and mores of our people, and we call on those behind this to take urgent remedial steps to enable us accord our dear departed a dignified sent off,” it said in a statement.
“Our anger stems from the fact that President J.J. Rawlings was not only a former Head of State and President of the Republic of Ghana, but he was also a properly installed Chief of Anlo land whose unfortunate demise must be dealt with in accordance with customs and traditions of Anlo.”
The Council further called on President Akufo-Addo to “ensure that the right procedures are adhered to”.
“The Anlo Traditional Council reserves the right to take steps to ensure that this error is remedied appropriately,” it added.
The government has scheduled the state funeral for former President Rawlings for Wednesday, December 23, 2020, at the Independence Square in Accra.
A statement from the funeral planning committee also said the late president’s family was collaborating with the state on the funeral arrangements.
Mr. Rawlings died on November 12 at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital after a short illness aged 73.
Find below the full statement
PRESS STATEMENT
The attention of the Anlo Traditional Council has been drawn to a purported press statement announcing the details of the funeral of H. E. J.J. Rawlings in consultation with the Government.
The Anlo Traditional Council wishes to express in its strongest possible terms its total outrage for the disrespect shown to the culture, traditions, mores and usages of our practices in the release of the so-called press statement. Our anger stems from the fact that President J. J. Rawlings was not only a former Head of State and President of the Republic of Ghana, but he was also a properly installed Chief of Anlo land whose unfortunate demise must be dealt with in accordance with customs and traditions of Anlo.
It needs to be brought to the attention of the public that the traditional council had brought to the attention of the immediate family its concerns on how to proceed with the funeral arrangements and was to have met them for final input into the funeral arrangement.
The statement as released is a total affront to the Anlo custom, traditions, usage and mores of our people and we call on those behind this to take urgent remedial steps to enable us accord our dear departed a dignified sent off.
The Anlo Traditional Council reserves the right to take steps to ensure that this error is remedied appropriately. We take this opportunity to inform H. E. Nana Addo Danquah Akuffo who we know is a royal to ensure that the right procedures are adhered to.
