‘Shut It Down!’ – Residents Clash with Authorities Over Jilf Mortuary in Abrafo Kokoben

A wave of anger has swept through Abrafo Kokoben New Site in the Atwima Nwabiagya North District of the Ashanti Region as residents clash with local authorities over the continued operation of a private mortuary, Jilf Mortuary, in their neighborhood.

The residents say the facility’s location in the middle of a densely populated residential area poses a severe public health threat and has become a constant source of fear, discomfort, and psychological stress. They allege that the mortuary’s operations bring unpleasant odors, raise concerns of environmental contamination, and have already disrupted the peace of the community.

Leading the charge against the mortuary, Kofi Oppong Kyekyeku told journalists that the residents have made repeated appeals to the Atwima Nwabiagya North District Assembly, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and traditional leaders, but their concerns have been ignored.

“We have complained to the chiefs, we have gone to the EPA, and yet nothing is being done. This mortuary is not just wrongly sited — it is a serious health hazard. That is why we are shouting ‘Shut it down!’ and calling on both the government and Otumfuo Osei Tutu II to intervene before it’s too late,” Mr. Kyekyeku said.

Some residents recounted the emotional toll of living so close to a mortuary, explaining that the mere sight and knowledge of its daily operations have left them distressed. They also fear a drop in property values and a halt to further development in the area if the situation is left unresolved.

“We are not against mortuaries; we respect the role they play in society. But this one is right in the middle of our homes. It is wrong, and it must be relocated,” one resident insisted.

The community has vowed to keep up its protest until the facility is either shut down or moved to a more suitable location that complies with health and zoning regulations.

Efforts to get a response from the management of Jilf Mortuary proved unsuccessful at the time of filing this report. Officials from the District Assembly and the EPA have also not issued any public statement on the matter.

The Abrafo Kokoben protest is part of a growing national debate on the siting of mortuaries and other sensitive facilities in Ghana, with increasing calls for stricter enforcement of environmental and public health laws to ensure such establishments are located in areas that protect the safety and wellbeing of residents.