Remembers Group Blog

How death is announced in Ghana

Death announcements in Ghana are rich in socio-cultural significance, reflecting the community's collective attitudes towards death, life, and social identity.

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Death announcements in Ghana are rich in socio-cultural significance, reflecting the community's collective attitudes towards death, life, and social identity. 

These announcements, until recently only found in Ghanaian newspapers, are not merely notices of someone's passing but a display of rich Ghanaian culture, societal norms, beliefs, and practices. They embody a unique blend of verbal and non-verbal elements that communicate respect, honour, and remembrance, showcasing the deceased's life, achievements, and the family's status within the community. 

The crafting of death announcements in Ghana involves careful consideration of age, gender, and socio-economic status, influencing the language, structure, and presentation of these notices. 

Through a blend of traditional values and modern expressions, Ghanaian death announcements serve not only to inform but also to celebrate the lives of the departed, reinforcing the bonds of community and continuity of cultural heritage.

Since the digital transformation causes people to use digital and social media more for communication with family and friends, it is expected that the need for a digital replacement of announcements by way of digital media will increase significantly.