The Paramount Chief of Sunyani Odeefour Ogyeamansan Boahen Korkor II has issued a strong warning to divisional and sub-chiefs against the sale or encroachment of cemetery lands within the Sunyani Traditional Area.
The chief said cemetery lands are reserved for burials and should not be treated as private property for commercial purposes.
The warning comes amid concerns over the increasing pressure on land in Sunyani, where rapid development has raised questions about the protection of designated public and community spaces.
Cemetery lands are not for sale
The Paramount Chief cautioned traditional leaders against allocating or selling portions of cemetery lands to individuals for residential, commercial or other development purposes.
He stressed that such lands serve an important public and cultural purpose and must be preserved for present and future generations.
According to the chief, traditional authorities have a responsibility to protect lands held in trust for their communities rather than allowing them to be converted for private gain.
Warning against encroachment
The Paramount Chief also cautioned individuals and developers against encroaching on cemetery lands.
He urged anyone seeking land for development to conduct the necessary checks and ensure that the land being acquired is not part of a designated cemetery or reserved burial ground.
The warning is particularly important as urban expansion continues to put pressure on available land in Sunyani.
Chiefs urged to protect community lands
The Paramount Chief further called on divisional and sub-chiefs to exercise greater responsibility in the management of lands under their authority.
Traditional leaders play a significant role in land administration in many parts of Ghana, making it important for them to ensure that community lands are managed transparently and in accordance with their intended purposes.
Cemetery lands, in particular, require special protection because they provide communities with designated spaces to bury their dead and preserve the dignity of families and their departed relatives.
Protecting burial grounds
The issue of cemetery encroachment goes beyond land ownership.
When burial grounds are sold, occupied or developed without proper authorisation, communities can face disputes over graves and the future use of the land.
Protecting such spaces therefore requires cooperation between traditional authorities, local government institutions, landowners, developers and community members.
The Sunyani Paramount Chief’s warning is expected to put traditional leaders and residents on notice that cemetery lands should remain protected from commercial exploitation and unauthorised development.
Source: Citi newsroom
