The Tema Traditional Council (TTC) has unveiled sweeping new regulations aimed at curbing the rising cost and ostentatious display that have come to characterize funerals in the Tema Traditional Area, announcing strict penalties for violators including fines and potential operating bans.
The directive, issued on March 17, 2026, targets what council leaders describe as the “unwholesome” commercialization of funeral rites and the infiltration of foreign practices that have eroded long-standing cultural traditions.
Speaking at the announcement, Nii Adjetey Agbo II, Acting President of the TTC and Mankralo of Tema, emphasized that the measures are designed to promote modesty, preserve cultural integrity, and shield bereaved families from crushing financial burdens.
“Funerals in recent times have deviated significantly from our customs, with excessive displays of wealth and practices alien to the traditions of our people,” Nii Adjetey Agbo II stated. “These new guidelines seek to restore order and cultural integrity to how we honour our departed.”
Strict Limits on Funeral Items
The council, working in collaboration with the Tema Obuade Weku Nukpai Akpee (Tema Clan Heads Association), has placed firm restrictions on items permitted during coffin presentations.
Families are now limited to presenting only:
· The coffin and clothing for the deceased
· One bottle of Castle Bridge
· One gallon of akpeteshie (local gin)
· One crate each of canned malt and beer
· Two boxes of bottled water
The council explicitly stated that no additional items may be presented or shared during this ceremonial stage.
Time Restrictions Imposed
To address noise pollution and maintain community order, the TTC has implemented strict timelines for all funeral activities:
· All funeral ground activities must conclude by 7:00 p.m.
· Music volume must be significantly reduced by 10:00 p.m. during wake-keeping
· After-funeral parties and outdoor events must close by 8:00 p.m.
Enforcement and Penalties
The new by-laws carry significant penalties for non-compliance. Clan heads who fail to enforce the directives face a fine of GH¢5,000. Public address system operators and spinners who breach the rules will also face sanctions.
Bereaved families whose funerals violate the regulations will bear additional penalties, while repeat offenders among service providers risk a six-month ban from operating within the Tema Traditional Area.
A Return to Cultural Values
Nii Amarh Somponu II, Secretary and Spokesperson of the Tema Traditional Council, expressed confidence that enforcement of the by-laws would usher in “a new era of modest and culturally appropriate funeral practices.”
“Adherence to these rules will significantly reduce the unnecessary financial pressures on families while promoting unity, discipline, and respect for tradition within the Tema community,” he added.
The regulations take immediate effect across the Tema Traditional Area, with council officials indicating that monitoring teams would be deployed to ensure compliance.
