Ghana High Commision, New Delhi

Death of Ghanaian Citizen

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  • Death Abroad

    When a GHANAIAN citizen dies abroad, the Consular Affairs will assists the family and friends. The Consular Affairs attempts to locate and inform the next-of-kin of the GHANAIAN citizen's death.  The Consular Affairs provides information on how to make arrangements for local burial or return of the remains to Ghana. The disposition of remains is subject to Ghanaian and local (foreign) law, Ghanaian and foreign customs requirements, and the foreign country facilities, which are often vastly different from those in Ghana.


  • The Ghana High Commission of India has no funds to assist in the return of remains or ashes of Ghanaian citizens who die abroad. Consular Affairs will assist the next-of-kin to convey instructions to the appropriate offices within the foreign country, and provides information to the family on how to transmit the necessary private funds to cover the costs overseas. Upon issuance of a local (foreign) death certificate, the nearest consulate may prepare a Consular Report of the Death of a Ghanaian Abroad. Copies of that report are provided to the next-of-kin or legal representative and may be used in Ghanaian courts to settle estate matters.
    A Ghanaian consular officer overseas has statutory responsibility for the personal estate of a Ghanaian citizen who dies abroad if the deceased has no legal representative or next-of-kin in the country where the death occurred, subject to local law. In that situation, the consular officer takes possession of personal effects, such as jewelry, personal documents and papers, and clothing.
    The consular officer prepares an inventory of the personal effects and then carries out instructions from the legal representative or next-of-kin concerning the effects

Consular Report of Death of a GHANAIAN Citizen Abroad

  • When a GHANAIAN citizen dies abroad and the death is reported to the GHANAIAN embassy or consulate, Consular Officers:

    • Confirm the death, identity, and Ghanaian citizenship of the deceased.
    • Attempt to locate and notify the next-of-kin.Attempt to locate and notify the next-of-kin.
    • Coordinate with the legal representative regarding the disposition of the remains and the personal effects of the deceased
    • Provide guidance on forwarding funds to cover costs
    • Serve as provisional conservator of the estate if there is no legal representative in the country.
    • Prepare documents for the disposition of the remains in accordance with instructions from the next-of-kin or legal representative.
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    • Oversee the performance of the disposition of the remains and the distribution of the effects of the deceased.
    • Send signed copies of the Consular Report of Death of a Ghanaian Citizen Abroad to the next-of-kin or legal representative for possible use in settling estate matters in the Ghana.