Days after the passing of former Vice President Kwesi Amissah-Arthur, a stranger appeared at his widow's home with a shocking claim. The individual asserted that the late Vice President was not truly deceased and could be revived if his body was taken to the mortuary. This unsettling episode was shared by Matilda Amissah-Arthur, the widow, in an interview with broadcaster Kafui Dey.
According to Matilda Amissah-Arthur, she was in another room of the house when her son alerted her to the presence of the stranger. The man insisted that the family should take the former Vice President's body to the mortuary so he could be revived. Her son had already sent the man away to spare her the confrontation, as it was known she would have reacted angrily.
Matilda Amissah-Arthur noted that the incident illustrated the vulnerability of bereaved families to individuals seeking to exploit their pain. Grieving people are often in a fragile state, and some individuals attempt to take advantage of that by proposing unusual courses of action. She emphasized the importance of having trusted people around during such moments to guide them toward sound decisions.
The former First Lady stressed that some visitors to bereaved homes come not to console but merely to observe and gossip afterward. Paa Kwesi Amissah-Arthur, an economist and academic, served as Ghana's sixth Vice President under President John Mahama from August 2012 to January 2017. He died on June 29, 2018, at the 37 Military Hospital after collapsing during a morning workout session.
Matilda Amissah-Arthur's account highlights a phenomenon familiar to many Ghanaian families: the arrival of unfamiliar or opportunistic figures during bereavement, sometimes invoking spiritual or supernatural claims. Her warning about vulnerability during grief speaks to a broader concern for families across the country who may encounter similar approaches while mourning loved ones.
The incident has brought attention to the need for families to be cautious and have trusted individuals around during times of grief. No further details have been given about the identity of the man who visited the Amissah-Arthur home, and no timeline has been provided for any further public remarks from the family on the matter.
The story of Matilda Amissah-Arthur's experience serves as a reminder of the challenges faced by bereaved families in Ghana. The family's experience is a testament to the importance of being aware of the potential for exploitation during times of grief and taking steps to protect themselves from those who may seek to take advantage of their vulnerability.
Key points
- A stranger claimed that the body of former Vice President Kwesi Amissah-Arthur could be revived if taken to the mortuary.
- Matilda Amissah-Arthur highlighted the vulnerability of bereaved families to exploitation during times of grief.
- The incident has brought attention to a broader concern for families across Ghana who may encounter similar situations while mourning loved ones.
