Abrafo Kokoben New site Residents Demand Closure of Jilf Mortuary Over Health and Safety Concerns

Tensions are brewing in Abrafo Kokoben New Site, a community in the Atwima Nwabiagya North District of the Ashanti Region, as residents mount fierce opposition to the continued operation of a private morgue, Jilf Mortuary. The locals claim the facility poses serious health risks and has become a source of fear and discomfort for the entire neighborhood.

According to the aggrieved residents, the mortuary’s operations have led to growing anxiety, with many fearing possible contamination, unpleasant odors, and the psychological distress of living near a facility that stores dead bodies. They allege that despite repeated complaints to local authorities, traditional leaders, and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), no concrete action has been taken to shut down the facility or relocate it.

Speaking to journalists, the leader of the protest, Kofi Oppong Kyekyeku, expressed the community’s deep frustration over what they describe as negligence on the part of authorities. “We have complained to the chiefs, we have reported to the environmental agency, but still nothing is being done. This is a health hazard, and we are calling on government and our respected King, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, to intervene immediately,” he said.

Other residents who spoke to the media shared similar sentiments, emphasizing the mental and emotional toll the mortuary’s presence has had on their lives. They noted that the situation has not only disrupted their peace of mind but could also devalue properties in the area if left unresolved.

The residents have vowed to continue their campaign until their concerns are addressed, stressing that their demand is not out of disrespect for the dead but rather a call for proper zoning and health standards to protect the living.

As of the time of filing this report, the management of Jilf Mortuary had not responded publicly to the allegations, and officials from the Atwima Nwabiagya North District Assembly and the EPA have yet to comment on the matter.

This protest adds to the growing debate over the siting and regulation of mortuaries in residential areas across Ghana, with many calling for stricter enforcement of health and safety laws to ensure that such facilities operate in suitable locations away from homes.