As custom and tradition in some parts of Ghana frown on “disgraceful deaths” such as suicide, the Apremdo Traditional Council in the Effia-Kwesimintsim Municipality of the Western Region, has vehemently kicked against the burial of a 33-year-old returnee who died of or committed suicide after killing his mother-in-law with a gun.

The deceased, Mr. Emmanuel Kwofie, who returned from Spain shot and killed Madam Elizabeth Nkrumah, 66, on August 15, 2021, at Apremdo.

The collective decision taken by the Chiefs and elders in the traditional area is to serve as a deterrent to those who may be contemplating embarking on such ignominious act.

Confirming the story to The Spectator, the Divisional Chief of  Apremdo, Nana Egya Kwamina XI,explained that the nature of Kwofie’s death was an abomination and not in tune with  customs and traditions of  the land.

He added that the decision  of the chiefs to debar Kwofie’s family from burying the corpse at the communitycemetery was to serve as a strong warning to others.

“Yes, it was  a collective decision that was taken on August 16, because we deem  the act  as  an abomination, and if nothing is done,others  willfollow suit.We need to take this drastic decision to serve as a lesson  to others not to go on that path.” Nana Kwamina told The Spectator.

The chief said, the family of the deceased had  been notified  about the palace’s  decision  and hoped that they would abide  by  it.

He, however, assured that if the family  appealed to the palace, the chiefs and elders would sit  to reconsider the matter, saying “we are all human.”

Nana Kwamina added that, if there were any explanations, that could also be considered and put the matter to rest.

“Because of greed, there’s so much violence  in our communities, and we need to take disciplinary action to maintain social cohesion and not feuds  in families and the community. We must maintain calm and restore peace for  our collective good and development.”  he stressed.

It is recalled that Emmanuel Kwofie, 33, killed his mother – in-  law, Elizabeth Nkrumah, 66, and, later, shot  himself with a single barrel gun,  on Sunday, August 15, 2021.

The Police Public Affairs Officer,Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Olivia Ewurabena Adiku said, at about 9:40pm,  on that day, Kwofie rushed to  House Number  101/2 – Apremdo, with a single barrel gun and shot  Elizabeth Nkrumah,  on the left thigh.

She explained that, initial investigations  revealed that the deceased (Kwofie) and Dora Nkrumah, had been in a relationship for the past 10 years and even had a  boy aged, about eight years.

DSP Adiku said that,  about three years ago,  Kwofie left for Spain for greener pastures and  on his return, found that,Dora Nkrumah, whose marriage rites he had not performed had taken another man .

“According to the complainant, the deceased(Kwofie) was not remitting her whilst he was  in Spain so she had no option but to go in for another man.” she added.

From Clement Adzei Boye, Apremdo