Gethsemane Memorial Garden, a modern privately run lawn type cemetery situated at Shiashie, East Legon in Accra, has been officially been opened.

The cemetery was consecrated by Rev. Father Andrew Campbell at a colourful ceremony on Thursday, March 5, 2015.
Director of Sooner Management, a private cemetery developer, who built the ultra-modern cemetery, Dr. Alfred Lutterodt, in a welcome speech said, "For many years, some friends and I realised the need for a modern cemetery for Accra.

"This need was driven not only by the dwindling burial space in the existing cemeteries but also by the total lack of respect for those buried in them and the archaic customer service offered to bereaved families.

"I became so desperate to fulfill the need for a decent burial place that I personally designed and developed a small family cemetery at our ancestral Ga rural village of Mayera. It turned out to be very beautiful and this encouraged me to resume my search for a larger parcel of land to meet the needs of the community at large."

He said in renovating the old cemetery, Sooner Management took cognisance of the importance that cemeteries play in the lives of every human society.

He said the company recognised that a cemetery forms part of the history of people, "a permanent record of yesterday and a sanctuary of peace and quiet today".

Mr Lutterodt  added: "In researching into how cemeteries are built and run, I came across a quote by no less a person than the 19th century British Prime Minister, William Gladstone and this strengthened my resolve to fulfill our dream.

"'Show me the manner in which a nation or community cares for its dead, and I will measure with a mathematical exactness the tender mercies of its people, their respect for the laws of the land, and their loyalty to high ideals' (William Gladstone 1809-1898)'

"This quotation implies that in addition to the mansions we leave behind, future generations will have an insight into our character based on our cemeteries. I sincerely believe this to be true and hence my preoccupation with decent burial grounds for our departed loved ones. Indeed, it is a universal wish across all cultures".

Gethsemane Memorial Gardens is a non-denominational Christian cemetery with beautifully landscaped lawns, trees, flowers and walkways with operational emphasis on simplicity and orderliness.

Nii Tetteh Opremreh II cutting the tape at the consecration of Gethsemane Memorial Gardens

The new cemetery was designed by a Canadian firm Lees & Associates but with a lot of input from Dr. Alfred Lutterodt.

The actual work was done entirely by Ghanaian team. The Ghanaian team highly impressed the Canadian designer with their knowledge, skills and interest in the project.

Mr Yeofi Sackey was the landscape specialist and Mr. Ebenezer Abuaku was the project coordinator.

The Consecration ceremony was attended by the Chief Justice of the Republic of Ghana, Her Ladyship Mrs. Georgina Theodora Wood, Bishop William Blankson, Father Andrew Campbell, Nii Tetteh Opremreh II, Dr. Joyce Aryee, Nii Tetteh Opremreh II, who is the chief of Shiashie and the lawful representative of the Apaitse We Family of La, Accra and other dignitaries.