Anyankaso: Chaos erupted during the burial service of Kwaku Manu, the Akyeamehene of the Offinso Traditional Area, as a conflict between religious practices unfolded in Anyankaso, Ashanti Region. The burial procession, meant to honor the deceased, turned into a scene of discord as a pastor and traditional priests conducted competing ceremonies.
According to Ghana Web, Kwaku Manu had served as a linguist for a local fetish priest, and upon his passing, traditional authorities arranged to perform their own burial rites. From Friday, May 1, 2026, until Saturday, May 2, 2026, the priests of the town conducted various ceremonies to pay respects to the deceased.
The situation escalated on Saturday during the laying-in-state ceremony when Kwaku Manu's uncle, a pastor, initiated a Christian burial service. As he began preaching to the mourners, the traditional priests commenced their own rituals, incorporating drumming, dancing, and gunfire, which disrupted the pastor's sermon.
Despite the interruptions, the pastor persisted in his message, proclaiming, 'God will save all sinners. God wants to save you, that is why he has given me permission to preach to you today.' Both the pastor and the traditional priests continued their respective ceremonies, each unwilling to yield, resulting in a tense and chaotic atmosphere at the funeral.