The Awudome Cemetery, one of the public cemeteries in the Greater Accra Region, is set to undergo redevelopment to achieve a modern appearance.
The plan includes designing the landscape with lawns, trees and various plants, as well as redesigning the walkways.
Gilbert Ankrah, the Public Relations Officer of the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA), shared details last Friday. He said the assembly is preparing to start this project.
The primary focus of the redevelopment is to ensure a serene and orderly environment at the cemetery, making it a simple place for visitors.
Mr Ankrah explained that the redevelopment would specifically occur on the eastern side of the two burial grounds, directly opposite the State Transport Company (STC).
This section of the cemetery has been closed for burials for many years, and the time has come to revitalise it.
Regarding the current cemetery status, Mr Ankrah noted that the western side, which was open for public burials, was not yet at full capacity. He said graves are allocated to visitors in an organised manner to ensure efficient use of space.
He confirmed that there were no immediate plans to close or relocate the eastern yard, which is also opposite the State Housing Company (SHC) headquarters.
“The eastern section of the cemetery, which has been closed for many years, is transforming to prepare it for use as a modern facility, while the other section remains open to the public,” he explained.
He also addressed misconceptions about burial depths, clarifying, “graves are not dug to a depth of three feet, as some claim. The standard depth is six feet to accommodate a coffin adequately.”
During a visit to the cemetery, it was observed that the area had become a bustling commercial hub, with auto repair shops and vulcanising businesses operating nearby.
Additionally, some areas around the cemetery had turned into dumping sites, while others had been used for leisure, with individuals seen lounging on broken tombstones.
In response to these issues, the AMA PRO mentioned that the assembly planned to relocate all the mechanics operating near the cemetery to suitable sites. He said the assembly would improve lighting in and around the cemetery.
Acknowledging reports of criminal activities and drug use in the area, Mr Ankrah gave an assurance that the assembly would collaborate with security agencies to implement measures to combat such issues.
“The assembly is taking proactive steps to secure the cemetery and the surrounding lands. These measures include enforcing regulations to prevent further encroachment and working with relevant stakeholders to ensure the area is protected,” Mr Ankrah assured.
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