Dunkwahene, Okofrobour Obeng Nuako III and the newly installed Denkyirahene, Odeefuo Boa Amponsem IV, seem to be in a standoff over funeral rules and regulations in Dunkwa.
The Dunkwa Divisional Council has, in collaboration with members of the Municipal Security Council, local Pastors and other community stakeholders, instituted guidelines, rules and regulations for the observance of one week and final funeral rites in the community.
Per the arrangement, bereaved families and organisers of such events, particularly for Dunkwa community and not the entire Denkyira State, are not to go beyond 10 am in the case of One Week Observation, while mass funerals are to be organised on monthly basis.
This decisive stance underscored the authority of local leadership in Dunkwa, highlighting the ongoing effort to balance tradition, community welfare and governance, while preventing unnecessary social and financial burdens on residents.
The concept is also aimed at reducing escalating funeral costs and easing the burden on out-of-town sympathisers who frequently travel long distances on weekly basis to commiserate with bereaved families.
The arrangement is said to have been accepted and worked successfully for some time, until recently, when the Denkyira Traditional Council, presided over by Odeefuo Boa Amponsem V, Denkyirahene, reportedly suggested otherwise and purportedly nullified the instituted Dunkwa funeral arrangements.
The Dunkwa chief and Dunkwa Divisional Council has expressed dismay following the position of the Denkyira Traditional Council, which seems to contradict the Denkyirahene’s maiden address in Dunkwa last week, during which he pledged to unify all Denkyiras under a spirit of collaboration and mutual respect.
Addressing a news conference at Dunkwa on Tuesday, this week, Nana Obeng Nuako, Dunkwahene stated clearly that the town’s funeral rules and regulations are not negotiable and cautioned residents and stakeholders in Dunkwa that the funeral rules and regulations are still in force.
Nana Obeng Nuako emphasised his constitutional authority as the custodian of Dunkwa Stool Lands stressing that the enactment of rules and regulations within his jurisdiction is both lawful and necessary for the orderly management of the town.
“The funeral rules and regulations remain in full force. Any individual or family who flouts them will not be permitted to conduct funerals in Dunkwa.
“They may either approach the Denkyira Traditional Council for burial arrangements or take the deceased to their hometown,” the Dunkwahene stated.
He further urged all caretaker chiefs (Adikrofo) in Dunkwa to ensure strict compliance of the funeral arrangements within their communities, warning that those who violate them would be sanctioned.
The Dunkwahene further directed that under no circumstances is any person or organization permitted to collect money from residents of Dunkwa without his prior knowledge and consent, except for government-imposed levies by the Upper Denhyira East Municipal Assembly.
Nana Obeng Nuako stressed that all decisions taken by his Council of Elders (Dunkwa Divisional Council) are specifically meant for the development and governance of Dunkwa Township, and should not be construed to apply to the broader Denkyira State.
The Dunkwahene has accordingly notified the Municipal Chief Executive of the Upper Denkyira East Municipal Assembly, the Divisional Police Commander and the Municipal Health Director of the Traditional Council’s entrenched position of the Dunkwa funeral arrangements.
The new Dekyirahene, known in private life as Oscar Mensah Kessie, swore the oath of allegiance to the chiefs and people of Denkyira, as the new Dekyirahene on October 20, 2025.
He succeeds Odeefuo Boa Amponsem III, who passed on in 2015.
From Oswald R. Freiku, Dunkwa-on-Offin
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