The Executive President of the Duamenefa Foundation, Ketaman Emmanuel Evortepe, has reaffirmed the organization’s commitment to protecting vulnerable individuals, expressing deep concern over a prolonged burial dispute in Anloga. Speaking on the airwaves of Fafaa 100.3 FM during the foundation’s social intervention programme, Mr. Evortepe addressed the troubling situation involving the Nutakor Family and the Tormife Shrine. With what he described as a “heavy heart,” he revealed that the family has been unable to retrieve the body of their deceased relative from the mortuary for burial for over a year.
According to the Duamenefa Foundation’s investigations, conducted in collaboration with traditional rulers and relevant state institutions, findings indicated that the deity of the Tormife Shrine was not responsible for the death in question. Following these findings, traditional authorities reportedly instructed the shrine to allow the bereaved family to proceed with the burial.
However, despite these directives, the situation remains unresolved. The foundation alleges that the shrine has failed to comply with the instructions of both traditional leaders and relevant authorities, leaving the deceased in the mortuary for an extended period. Mr. Evortepe stressed that such actions not only undermine cultural and traditional governance systems but also inflict emotional and psychological distress on affected families.
He emphasized that the Duamenefa Foundation will not relent in its efforts to ensure that justice is served and that the rights of vulnerable individuals are protected. He further called on state institutions to act decisively and fulfill their lawful mandates, warning that continued inaction could erode public trust in the system.
Mr. Evortepe noted that the prolonged delay in the burial raises serious concerns about respect for human dignity and cultural practices surrounding death and mourning. He stressed that no family should be subjected to such hardship, especially after competent authorities have already provided clear directives on the matter.
The foundation is closely monitoring the situation and will not hesitate to escalate the issue to higher authorities if necessary. Ensuring compliance with lawful instructions is critical to maintaining order and justice within communities, Mr. Evortepe added.
Addressing broader issues, Mr. Evortepe criticized the slow response of local authorities in enforcing traditional and legal directives, stressing that prolonged inaction prolongs the suffering of affected families and emboldens defiance of lawful instructions. He highlighted the urgent need to educate communities about the consequences of defying traditional rulings and the law, particularly in sensitive cases involving death and burial, to ensure harmony and compliance.
He also expressed concern about the wider implications of the dispute, warning that ignoring traditional authority instructions and failing to enforce state directives could weaken public confidence in both governance systems. He emphasized that such incidents, if left unresolved, may set dangerous precedents, encouraging other communities or institutions to flout lawful and customary processes.
Mr. Evortepe further stressed the importance of community sensitization, explaining that misinformation or lack of understanding often fuels conflicts. Educating communities about respecting legal and traditional rulings, he said, is critical for maintaining social harmony. He also urged civil society organizations, community leaders, and other stakeholders to join in the effort to ensure vulnerable families are protected and justice is served.
He added that the case highlights the urgent need for stronger enforcement mechanisms and collaboration between local authorities, traditional leaders, and the judiciary to prevent similar disputes in the future. According to Mr. Evortepe, proactive engagement by all stakeholders would not only resolve conflicts faster but also restore faith in both cultural and legal institutions.
The Executive President also emphasized the emotional toll such disputes take on families, noting that unresolved burial issues prolong grief and can have lasting psychological effects. He stressed that ensuring timely resolution of such cases is not only a matter of legal compliance but also of compassion and social responsibility.
The Duamenefa Foundation reiterated its commitment to continue monitoring the situation, engage all relevant stakeholders, and take all necessary steps to ensure the deceased is finally laid to rest with dignity. Mr. Evortepe concluded by affirming the foundation’s unwavering dedication to advocacy, justice, and social intervention, assuring the public that it will continue to defend the rights and welfare of vulnerable individuals and uphold cultural and legal standards.
By Hutor Dziwornu, Fafaa 100.3 FM, Dzodze