Bereaved families are encouraged to conduct private burials of their loved ones and hold the final funeral rites later, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has said.

According to him, although it may be very difficult for the bereaved families, it is also very important that the families adhere to this directive to decongest the morgues across the country as they are becoming full due to the ban on public or social gathering.

“The morgues in the country are becoming full, and will, in themselves, soon pose a public health hazard. So, let us act quickly on this,” he said during his televised broadcast to the nation on Sunday [April 19, 2020].

He reiterated that families should adhere to the 25 person limit while holding the private burials.

“As difficult as it may be, I encourage all bereaved persons to conduct private burials of their loved ones, but ensure that the twenty-five (25) person limit is not breached,” Akufo-Addo observed.

He further entreated religious, traditional, community and opinion leaders “to partner with government in engaging, mobilising and enforcing adherence to social distancing and personal hygiene practices in their respective communities.”

Watch the President's address below.