The Mortuaries and Funeral Facilities Agency (MOFFA) has significantly intensified its efforts to prosecute individuals involved in the mishandling and abuse of corpses, a move spurred by a recent directive from the Minister of Health, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, aimed at bolstering the protection of the dead’s dignity and sanctity. The directive emphasizes a heightened focus on deterring such behaviors, following a troubling viral video depicting a corpse set ablaze during a funeral ceremony in Asankragua-Sureso, Western Region. This incident, which captured public attention, triggered a response from MOFFA’s Executive Director, Francis Ennin, who stated the agency’s determination to uphold the law against such actions.
MOFFA’s directive stems from growing concerns regarding practices that disrespect corpses during funerals and ceremonies. The agency’s role is to ensure that any actions involving the improper handling or abuse of remains are prosecuted under the law. This is a significant shift in approach following the aforementioned incident, which highlighted a disturbing trend of disrespect towards the deceased. The Minister of Health’s directive has prompted MOFFA to proactively establish a robust legal framework designed to prevent individuals from engaging in acts that compromise the dignity and sanctity of the dead.
The proposed measures include a strengthened legal framework specifically addressing offenses involving the mishandling or abuse of corpses. Specifically, MOFFA intends to deploy representatives to regional and district-level funerals to actively monitor activities and identify any violations. When violations are detected, MOFFA will trace the families or individuals responsible, and will pursue appropriate legal action, including potential fines and criminal prosecution. The agency’s approach aligns with broader efforts to safeguard public health, safety, and the overall integrity of funeral rites. MOFFA has already begun considering establishing regional and district-level monitoring teams. According to a recent report by the Ministry of Health, there were 15 reported cases of disrespect towards corpses in the Western Region during the last year, with a significant portion involving deliberate acts of arson. MOFFA anticipates that this intensified focus will lead to a more secure environment for funerals and memorial services across the country. The agency’s strategy emphasizes a proactive approach to identifying and addressing potential threats to the dignity of the dead. Specifically, the agency will prioritize investigating and prosecuting individuals who have deliberately disrespect the deceased, ensuring that the law is applied fairly and decisively.
Watch Related Video
Source: Adom Online
