Reliable information racing The Chronicle indicates that workers of Tafo Cemetery in Kumasi are charging more than the stipulated amount for the cost of grave for burial at the cemetery.
The Chronicle gathered that sextons at the Government facility are taking advantage of their inelastic services and exploiting bereaved families in their quest to give space at the graveyard. They have reportedly put aside the laid down procedures and taking undue advantage of relatives of the dead.
Legally, the cost of the grave is GHc20.00 and the construction of the grave is done at the discretion of the client, but The Chronicle has gathered that, workers at the graveyard are charging as high as GHc1, 700.00 for land and construction of tomb in the Government owned facility before permits are issued.
According to the information, cost of land, cementing, tilling and others have all been factored in the cost of land and one has to pay before a permit is issued out. A concerned member of the public, obviously a victim of the practice disclosed that he was asked to pay GHc1, 700.00 for land and other works on the tomb before interment of the dead relative was allowed.
In an interview, the head of the Tafo Cemetery, who gave his name simply as Mr. K. K, said the cost of land ranges between GHc8.00 and GHc20.00 and debunked the allegation as unfounded. He said besides the cost of the land which is compulsory of which payment is instant, all construction works on the grave and others are done at the discretion of the client and denied that other costs are being pushed onto the clients.
<<Print>>