Boana (B/A), March 24, GNA - Mr Yaw Twumasi, a 65 year old farmer at Boana in the Nkoranza North District of Brong-Ahafo Region has urged Parliament to enact a law against expensive funerals as the practice was affecting the development of the people. Mr Twumasi noted with regret in an interview with Ghana News Agency at Boana at the weekend that, funerals had been turned into festivals at which wealth was displayed to the detriment of the development of families.

"Promising youth are unable to further their education because of lack of financial support from parents who attend all funerals and make huge donations," he stated. The prominent farmer cited the observance of week days, forty days and anniversary funeral activities and said they were "only a waste of funds".

Mr Twumasi, popularly called "Nipa ahu amane", stressed the need for traditional rulers to collaborate with assemblies to come out with 'standard' funerals to avoid people spending huge sums of money. "It is better we understand that funerals are creating poverty among the people and if we should regulate and minimize the high expenditure, we would be able to improve upon our livelihood," he said. Meanwhile, the people of Boana have decided to organise funerals every three months by which bereaved families would have to wait for such periods for the final funeral rites of their deceased members, meaning only four funerals could be organised in a year. Mr Twumasi called on religious heads to discuss with congregations on how to minimize the huge expenses at funerals. 24 March 09