Over the decade from 2015 to 2025, Ghana has witnessed a series of notable funeral-related family disputes that reveal the complex interplay between customary law, individual rights, and modern legal frameworks. These cases, involving both high-profile figures and ordinary families, underscore recurring themes of contested funeral ownership, succession conflicts, and estate disputes, often exacerbated by the absence or contestation of wills.
Summary of Prominent Funeral Disputes in Ghana (2015–2025)
Here is a numbered summary of notable funeral disputes in Ghana from 2015 to 2025:
2015–16: Ex-Chief Nana Osum Kai (Adansi-Akrofrom) – Widow vs. Maternal Family
Burial delayed over a year due to conflict between the ex-chief’s American widow and his Akan extended family about who controls the body and funeral arrangements. No will existed; customary law favored the extended family. Court ruled the body belongs to the maternal family, with widow and children involved but without control. Burial proceeded under the extended family’s authority.2012–18: Togbui Hor II (Paramount Chief) – Succession Dispute
Funeral delayed six years due to a dispute between the installed successor and a rival over who should act as chief mourner and arrange the burial. Children withheld mortuary documents to prevent unauthorized burial. No will was relevant; the conflict was over chieftaincy succession. Courts and Regional House of Chiefs intervened, eventually affirming the successor’s role, though tensions remained.2020–21: Former President J.J. Rawlings – Immediate Family vs. Anlo Extended Family
Disagreement over funeral arrangements as the Anlo Traditional Council felt excluded by the state and nuclear family plans, threatening separate rites. A will reportedly existed but was not central; the issue was mainly cultural authority. The original funeral was postponed; after negotiations, a state funeral was held with the Anlo family performing customary ceremonies, resolving the confusion publicly.2023: Ga Manye (Queen Mother of Ga) – Family vs. Ga Traditional Council
The queen mother’s family obtained an injunction to stop the Traditional Council’s planned funeral, claiming sidelining and legal ownership of the body. The will was not public. The conflict was between customary family rights and traditional authority. The Accra High Court initially granted the injunction but later set it aside, allowing the funeral to proceed under the Traditional Council. The family withheld cooperation, calling the ceremony “fake.”2023: Rev. Anthony Boakye – Widow vs. In-Laws & Church
The widow was barred from funeral planning; in-laws allegedly tried to seize church assets. She filed a court petition alleging violation of her rights. No will was known; intestate situation led to family jockeying for control of assets and funeral. The Kumasi High Court issued an injunction halting the funeral. The case was pending as of August 2023.2022–23: Justice Seth Twum – Children vs. Other Heirs
Two children challenged the authenticity of the late judge’s will, which excluded them. Allegations of forgery and manipulation by stepmother and half-siblings arose. The will existed but was contested. The High Court case was ongoing, with plaintiffs seeking to nullify the will and freeze estate assets. The funeral was completed in July 2022, but the estate remained in legal limbo.2025: Emmanuel “Nii oo Nii” Agbozo – Father vs. Son Clash
During the funeral of a 78-year-old man, family members physically fought to prevent an estranged son from attending, as the deceased had wished to exclude him. No will was mentioned. The conflict was personal and familial. Burial was suspended indefinitely after violence, with police intervention and investigation.2025: Linda Kusi & Children – In-Law Tensions (Ordinary Family)
After a tragic fire killed a mother and her three children, tensions arose between the widower and the late wife’s family at the funeral, leading to a confrontation caught on video. No will existed. The dispute stemmed from grief and possible blame. The altercation was contained, and the burial proceeded without legal action.2020: Binde Hospital COVID Case – Family vs. Authorities
Relatives of a man who died suspected of COVID-19 tried to take his body from the hospital against health protocols. The hospital refused, and police/army intervened to seize the corpse. No will existed due to sudden death. The conflict was between cultural burial customs and public health rules. The body was eventually released for safe burial after hospital disinfection.
These cases illustrate the complex interplay of customary law, family dynamics, legal frameworks, and cultural practices in funeral disputes across Ghana over the past decade. They highlight ongoing tensions between extended families, nuclear families, traditional authorities, and state institutions regarding control over funerals and estates.
Key Themes and Insights
Customary Law vs. Individual Rights: Ghanaian customary law traditionally grants the extended family ownership and control over the deceased’s body and funeral rites. This principle often clashes with the rights and wishes of spouses, children, or nuclear family members, especially in modern, urbanised contexts where nuclear family structures are more prevalent1.
Absence or Contestation of Wills: Many disputes arise from intestacy or contested wills, leading to prolonged legal battles and funeral delays. Wills that exclude certain heirs often trigger allegations of forgery or manipulation, complicating estate and funeral arrangements.
Chieftaincy and Traditional Authority Conflicts: Disputes involving chiefs and traditional leaders frequently centre on succession and authority over funeral rites, sometimes requiring intervention by the Regional House of Chiefs and courts.
Public Figures and State Involvement: Funerals of prominent individuals, such as former President J.J. Rawlings, illustrate tensions between state protocols, nuclear families, and extended traditional authorities, necessitating negotiations to reconcile differing expectations.
Emotional and Social Volatility: Ordinary family disputes, especially following sudden or tragic deaths, reveal the raw emotional challenges that can escalate into confrontations or violence, underscoring the need for mediation and clear communication.
Legal and Social Implications
Ghana’s pluralistic legal system, combining customary law with common law and statutory provisions, often prioritises extended family rights over nuclear family claims in funeral matters. However, there is growing advocacy for frameworks that better balance these interests, giving nuclear families greater participation in burial decisions.
Courts have increasingly become arenas for resolving funeral disputes, issuing injunctions to halt unauthorised funerals and mediating estate conflicts. These legal interventions highlight the need for clearer legal instruments, such as wills and advance funeral planning, to reduce conflict.
The decade-long pattern of funeral disputes in Ghana reflects the enduring strength of tradition alongside the rising assertion of individual and nuclear family rights. While customary law remains influential, evolving social realities demand legal and cultural adaptations to accommodate diverse family structures and expectations.
These cases serve as a powerful reminder of the importance of:
Making clear, legally recognised wills
Open family discussions about funeral wishes
Respecting both customary roles and individual rights
Utilising mediation and legal frameworks to prevent or resolve disputes
By fostering understanding and planning ahead, Ghanaian families can honour their loved ones with dignity and unity, minimising the distress and delays that have too often marred funeral rites in recent years.