Musician Patapaa, known in private life as Justice Amoa, has addressed the public reaction to a viral video capturing him holding a polythene bag filled with cash donations during his mother’s one-week funeral observance.

According to the artiste, his actions were in line with family tradition rather than a personal decision to hold onto the money.

He explained that, customarily, all monetary contributions made during such occasions are handed over to the eldest child, who is responsible for leading the burial arrangements.

Patapaa further clarified that the money seen in the video was officially given to him by the family, dismissing claims that he took it upon himself to collect or keep the donations.

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“It is tradition. The money is given to the eldest child since he is the one to oversee the burial of the late parent. So they gave me the money, and that was it. I did not go for it on my own volition,” he said.

On February 17, 2026, Patapaa, alongside his father and siblings, organised a one-week celebration in honour of his late mother at their family home in Agona Swedru.

Videos from the event, which circulated widely on social media, captured the musician in a sad yet pensive mood as he interacted with sympathisers.

In one of the videos, he was seen holding a yellow polythene bag containing donations from attendees, an act that sparked reactions online.

“I was just following tradition.”

— Musician Patapaa explains why he was holding the money received at his mother’s funeral in Swedru pic.twitter.com/SPLjdzr5My

— 𝐀𝐒𝐊 (@askghmedia) March 22, 2026