The contemplated curfew and shutting up of businesses

..... SOCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE UP-COMING FUNERAL OF THE LATE NUNGUA WULOMO IS UNLAWFUL AND MUST BE STOPPED

By NII Otu Quaye

The recent announcement in the Ghanaian dailies regarding an upcoming internment of the Late Gborbu Wulomo, during when curfew would be placed on Nungua and its environs, is intensely troubling, not only because it epitomizes the heights of deception and lawlessness, but also because it reflects an affront to the Ghana Legal system.

One should be curious about what the announcers told the law enforcement officers to convince them to issue a permit for the contemplated curfew, if a permit was, indeed, issued. If no permit has been requested and issued, the further question is whether the Ghana legal system allows individuals of a clan to freely institute curfews, curbing rights of individual, stifling social activities, and shutting down businesses, etc.

By Ghanaian traditions and cultures, we celebrate and honor our loved ones that pass on to Eternity. Our Nungua Amanfa Clan Leader, Gborbu Wulomo, passed to eternity long time ago. It is appropriate to honor and celebrate him, but what is being done is the opposite. In fact, it dishonors him and brings the image of Nungua to disrepute because it is utterly deceptive, misleading of the public, and antithetical to progress and development.

The announcement states that the Late Wulomo would be laid in State. However, the falsehood here shouts to the highest heavens. The Late Gborbu Wulomo was buried shortly after he passed. How and why should we then concoct this falsehood; more so, to the extent of imposing curfew and shutting off business and social activities in Nungua and its environs?

This is uncharacteristic of Nungua and, for that matter, any Ga-Dangme Society. Never in the history of Nungua or any Ga state has a curfew been imposed because a leader, an elder, or a member of society passed to eternity. The Inspector General of Police, the Regional Commissioner, and the Government should step in and stop the contemplated lawlessness.

Another question that pops up is: what developmental benefits are the curfew and the misleadingly concocted funeral expected to bring to Nungua? Clearly, none, other than to seriously compromise progress, stall businesses, and strip people of their rights to engage in social activities, and bring the image of Nungua and the Ga-Dangme Society to disrepute?

In trying to rationalize the unlawful plan, reference has been made to the curfew that was recently imposed in Kumasi during the funeral of the Late Queen Mother. This also is very misleading and worrisome. Specifically, although Gas and Ashantis are both citizens of Ghana, some of their cultures vary from one another's.

The Ashantis, from time immemorial, have had imposition of curfews when mourning their Kings and Queen Mothers as one of their primordial cultural practices. Gas, on the other hand, do not have such a culture. Indeed, I know of no single instance when a Ga Mantse’s, Clan Leader’s or Elder’s funeral has been conducted under curfew, let alone of the magnitude contemplated here.

It is totally unheard of and simply uncharacteristic of the Ga cultural practices. It is therefore unfathomable and troubling to hear that the Amanfa Clan is trying to institute the contemplated curfew, citing as its rationale the Ashantis’ age-long cultural practice that have never been replicated in Nungua, and only because our Ashanti brothers and sisters instituted one recently.

Why didn’t the Nungua people replicate the practice when Chiefs, Clan Leaders, and Elders passed into Eternity in the past? One can only surmise that the scheme is none other than a ploy to cause a needless conflict in the Town.

There is no logic in the intended curfew: it promotes lawlessness and would only stifle business, social activities, and compromise the peace and tranquility in Nungua and its environs. Wherefore, I respectfully appeal to the perpetrators to call off the curfew and also upon the Government, through the IGP and Regional Commissioner, to ensure that law and order is not compromised in Nungua by the contemplated plan.