As part of the ongoing Ghana Month series on Joy FM’s Super Morning Show, historian Kwaku Darko Ankrah has offered a detailed look into how funerals are organized across different tribes in Ghana, with a highlight on the cultural significance attached to death and burial.

Speaking during Thursday’s edition, Mr. Ankrah explained that funerals in Ghana go far beyond mourning the dead.

They are carefully structured events that reflect identity, beliefs, and social status within a community. According to him, each ethnic group has its own traditions that guide how funeral rites are planned and carried out.

One of the aspects he highlighted was the design of caskets. In some Ghanaian cultures, coffins are crafted to reflect the profession or life achievements of the deceased. For instance, a fisherman may be buried in a fish-shaped coffin, while a teacher or trader may have a design that represents their life’s work.

The historian also discussed how religious beliefs influence burial practices. While some communities follow traditional rites, others incorporate Christian customs, which can affect everything from the timing of the burial to the structure of funeral services.

Another key issue he raised was the importance of burial location. In several Ghanaian societies, there is a strong preference for individuals to be buried in their hometowns, regardless of where they lived or died. This, he explained, is tied to ideas about ancestry, belonging, and maintaining a connection with one’s roots.

Watch the full interview in the video below.