Apremdo: Nana Egya Kwamina XI, the Chief of Apremdo in the Western region, has reaffirmed the community's strong stand against keeping vigil during funeral rites. He indicated that the night events preceding a burial service have consistently been characterized by violence, particularly involving the youth.
According to Ghana News Agency, the youth, often not directly related to the bereaved family, frequently engage in alcoholism, drug use, and violent behaviors during these vigils, leading to a notable increase in teenage pregnancies associated with such events in the community. Nana Egya Kwamina reiterated this stance during a community engagement focused on a newly developed constitution that guides the distribution of funeral contributions and accounts for inflows since the scheme's introduction in 2024.
The constitution, dubbed 'Aplemzo, Okoyele Ohonyenle' (Apremdo Funeral Policy) with the motto 'Bozono-Yene Meni Yesonua' (Unity and Strength in oneness), appoints the chief as a life patron. The funeral committee has so far raised 149,000 cedis, with 18 beneficiaries receiving bursaries totaling 56,600 cedis. To support the purchase of chairs and sound systems, the monthly dues will be increased from four cedis to five cedis.
Nana Egya Kwamina noted that 'Oman Ayie' is compulsory, and any defaulter faces a penalty of 3,000 cedis. The constitution stipulates that all deaths must be reported to the Palace and the funeral committee secretary, with final funeral rites occurring every three months. Bereaved families may choose to bury their deceased before the final rites. All funerals are to be held at the community center, with laying in state starting at 4 am and burial before noon on Saturdays.
The committee, serving two terms, consists of members appointed or elected by a simple majority from family or clan heads, clan secretaries, an Obaapanyin from each clan, and three persons appointed by the Palace.