Who qualifies to be buried at home on Ga land?

Who qualifies to be buried at home on Ga land? - GaDangme leaders explain

The late Daddy Lumba is believed to be buried in his private East Legon residence

Following the burial of the late Highlife legend Daddy Lumba in his private residence in East Legon, concerns have been raised by GaDangme traditional authorities, who maintain that such an act is inappropriate under their customs.

Questions have been raised about who qualifies to be buried in a private residence on Ga land.

Addressing the media on March 17, 2026, GaDangme traditional leaders explained that burial in one’s home is not a general practice but is reserved for specific categories of individuals under strict traditional guidelines.

According to them, for a person to be buried in their private home on Ga land, the individual must be a royal, and the decision must also be approved by an entire traditional stool.

“For a person to be buried in his home, that person must be of royalty, and that person should have this kind of burial only when an entire stool has agreed that this royal must be buried in his home,” Rev Jesse Ankrah, spokesperson of the Gborbu Wulomo-Shitse’s office said.

Daddy Lumba's burial 'illegal', body must be exhumed - GaDangme leaders

Rev Jesse Ankrah further clarified that even if a person is a royal from another tribe or jurisdiction, their royalty is limited to their place of origin; therefore, they cannot be buried in private homes on Ga land if they are not Ga royals.

“If you are a royal and you come from another tribe different from the GaDangme, your royalty limits you to where you come from,” he clarified.

Rev Jesse Ankrah also noted that non-royals or “ordinary people” as he described them, are generally not permitted to be buried in their private homes unless exceptional circumstances apply.

He explained that such consideration is only given if the individual made a huge and recognised contribution to the GaDangme people or their land.

“If you are just ordinary, we do not permit it. If somebody is to be buried in his home and that has to be accepted, then that person must have something very special for the GaDangme people or the GaDangme land. Without these things, you’re not permitted to be buried in your house,” he added.