Executive Director of the Alliance for Social Equity and Public Accountability (ASEPA), Mensah Thompson, has strongly criticized Apostle Lilian Kumah, the widow of the late Deputy Finance Minister, John Kumah, for her recent statements regarding her husband’s passing.
In an interview with Asaase Radio, Mrs. Kumah refuted claims suggesting her husband died of food poisoning, stating instead that he had been battling a terminal illness for almost a year, as diagnosed by doctors in Germany.
On Citi TV’s Breakfast Daily, Mensah Thompson expressed disapproval of Mrs. Kumah’s decision to discuss the details of her husband’s passing. He urged her to refrain from further comments and focus on mourning her husband.
Mr Thompson emphasized the inappropriateness of Mrs. Kumah’s engagement in discussions about the cause of her husband’s death.
He advised her to leave the investigation to professionals who would conduct an autopsy, stating that making claims about the cause of death is not within the widow’s purview.
“I will plead with the wife to shut up and mourn her husband. And, in fact, as we speak, John Kumah’s wife is on Asaase radio granting an interview claiming that her husband was not poisoned. But is that what your focus should be as a widow?” he quizzed.
Highlighting cultural norms in Ashanti tradition, Thompson pointed out that widows are expected to observe a period of mourning, refraining from making public statements about the cause of their spouse’s death.
“In Ashanti culture, you can’t even come out, in our traditional culture, when you lose your husband, you can’t even come out for a certain amount of time.
“You are supposed to be in the room and mourn. Whatever people are claiming killed or didn’t kill your husband is not up to you. That is why there are professionals who will do an autopsy and that is none of your business. People can claim whatever they want to claim, but focus on mourning your husband,” he said.
You are very stupid!! You want her to keep quiet for your idiots to propagate falsehood?