A body of a man buried on Saturday on a disputed piece of land in Assin Dansame was on Monday June 26, 2017 exhumed following a directive by the chief in the area.
Villagers watched in disbelief as youths hired by Okufo Twum Beriama IV, who claims legal ownership of the disputed land, pulled out the coffin containing remains of the man said to be a member of the royal family.
Wails and cries from the women, who witnessed the demolition, could not deter the young men from accomplishing their mission.
Adom News’ Alfred Amoh who followed the story reported that, there has been a long standing dispute between the chief and Asona family in Assin Dansame.
He indicated that, the coffin which containing a decomposed body has been left in the center of the town causing fire and panic.
This, however, sparked protests by a section of residents, who were angered by the action of the chief.
They therefore move the coffin to the town square after an ultimatum given the family elapsed.
“We have not able to eat since morning because of the stench and our children are frightened” a woman bemoaned.
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In an exclusive interview on Adom News, Nana Okufo Twum Beriama IV said the family of the deceased did not inform him before the burial.
He noted that, the deceased while alive did not attend communal labour and failed to pay a fine of GHC 500 hence the decision.
But the Asona family described the claims by the Chief as false insisting that they have the right to bury their kinsman on the land.
They explained that, the body of their brother was already decomposing while sick so they decided to bury him immediately he died.
The Asona family maintained that, they did not need any permission from the chief for burial because they are also custodians of the land.
They are however not ready for re-burial because it is an abomination in their tradition.
Meanwhile, the District Chief Executive for the area is currently meeting the chief and family of the deceased to resolve the matter.
