News

‘Next Of Kin’ Does Not Grant Inheritance Rights – Lawyer

Published

6 months ago

December 22, 2025

A lawyer, Abdul Gafaru Ali, has explained that being listed as “next of kin” does not grant inheritance rights or legal authority over estates or properties.

He said that only identifies the listed person as an emergency contact.

He stressed that that could only be possible if the next of kin is listed in a will as a beneficiary, holds a power of attorney, or is an immediate relative, such as a wife or child.

Mr. Ali, a senior associate at the Sustaineri PRUC, made the clarification during an edition of The Mirror Dialogue Series in Accra last Wednesday.

He noted that the term, which frequently appeared on bank, employment, and hospital forms, was often misunderstood by the public.

He attributed the widespread confusion to limited public education and the influence of social media.

“Many people wrongly assume that once they are named as next of kin, they automatically become beneficiaries or decision makers,” he said.

Mr. Ali explained that a next of kin may be a family member, friend, or colleague, ideally older and of sound mind, and added that the law does not recognize claims based solely on next of kin status, even where multiple individuals assert such claims, without proper legal standing.

Responsibilities and limitations

On the responsibilities and limitations of the role, Mr. Ali stressed that a next of kin has very limited duties, mainly assisting institutions by providing information when required.

He added that individuals were free to list different people as their next of kin on different forms, depending on the purpose.

“Unlike a power of attorney, a next of kin cannot make legal or medical decisions for the person,” he said.

Explaining the concepts of power of attorney and beneficiaries under Ghanaian law, Mr. Ali said a power of attorney authorizes an individual to act on another person’s behalf while the person is alive.

This may include signing documents, attending meetings, or handling legal matters.

However, he noted that the authority granted under a power of attorney ends immediately upon the death of the person who executed it.

Beneficiaries, on the other hand, are persons legally entitled to inherit from a deceased individual either through a will or under the law.

Mr. Ali explained that executors named in a will could obtain a probate from the court, which authorizes them to manage and distribute the deceased’s estate.

He added that where a person dies without a will, surviving spouses, children, parents, or customary successors may apply to the court for letters of administration to legally manage the estate in accordance with PNDC Law 111.

The importance of a Will

On the importance of a will, Mr. Ali urged Ghanaians to draft wills to ensure their estates are distributed according to their wishes.

He explained that a valid will must be in writing, signed in the presence of two witnesses, and ideally lodged at the court.

According to him, a will provides clear guidance to families and helps reduce disputes after death, even though it may still be contested in some cases.

Public education

Mr. Ali also highlighted the responsibility of institutions, legal practitioners, the media, and the state in educating the public on misconceptions surrounding “next of kin” and estate planning.

He cited the Bank of Ghana’s 2024 public notice clarifying the concept of “next of kin” and its limitations as a positive step.

He urged banks, insurance companies, and other organizations that require “next of kin” details on their forms to consistently explain that listing someone as a next of kin does not make the person an automatic beneficiary.

graphic.com.gh

Energy

See The Areas That Will Be Affected By Power Outages On June 4

Published

3 days ago

June 4, 2026

AladdynKing

The Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) has announced multiple power outages for Thursday, June 4, 2026, affecting communities in the Tema, Eastern, Central, and Western Regions, with a combination of planned and emergency maintenance exercises scheduled across the country.

In the Tema Area, a planned maintenance exercise will take place from 10:00 am to 4:00pm. The affected areas include the Sea Water Desalination Plant, Maranatha, Buade, Glow Lamp, Frimpongmaa Estates, Abrantie, Dan Adams, Coastal Estates, Basket, GCB Training School, Ataa Adama, Royal Ravico, Junction Mall, Regimanuel Estates, Parakuo Estates, Queensland International School, Kpoo Keke, Best Western Premier Hotel, Leisure Hours Hotel, and extensive parts of Nungua including Zongo, Township, Traditional Council, Polyclinic and Secondary School. Also affected are the Kpeshie Divisional Police Headquarters, Coco Beach, Main 1, Father’s Hotel, C5 and surrounding areas. The notice was originally issued on Monday, June 1.

In the Eastern Region, a planned maintenance exercise will run from 8:00am to 5:00pm, affecting Sekesua, Anyamoni, Oterkpolu, Bukonor, Asesewa, Akateng and surrounding areas. This notice was originally issued on Tuesday, 2nd June.

The Central Region will experience a planned outage from 9:00am to 3:30pm, affecting Brimso Headworks, Akaikrom, Police Barrier, Ankaful Junction, Mpeasem, WAEC, Yayaaikawa, Wanyiwato, part of Dominase, Duakyimase and surrounding areas.

In the Western Region, ECG will undertake two separate exercises. The first is an emergency maintenance from 10:00am to 2:00pm, affecting Dixcove, Busua, Cape 3, Agona Damtsi, GREL and surrounding areas. The second is another emergency maintenance from 9:00am to 4:00pm, affecting Akoon, UEE, parts of Market Circle, Railway Quarters, Apinto Hospital, Cyanide, Kwabedu, Alhaji Dauda, New Atuabo, Budo City, Banso, Esuosu and surrounding areas.

ECG has expressed regret for the inconvenience that will arise from all these exercises. The company has advised affected customers to make alternative arrangements for power-dependent activities during the specified hours.

All notices were originally issued between Monday, June 1 and Wednesday, June 3, 2026. ECG assured that power supply would be restored to all affected areas upon completion of the scheduled maintenance works. Customers have been encouraged to contact ECG’s official communication channels for further updates.

graphic.com.gh

General News

Today’s Newspaper Headlines: Thursday, 4th June, 2026

Published

3 days ago

June 4, 2026

AladdynKing

General News

Assin Edubiase: School Bus ‘Plunges’ Into River, Two Pupils Killed

Published

3 days ago

June 3, 2026

AladdynKing

Tragedy struck when a school bus transporting more than 40 pupils of a preparatory school at Assin Edubiase in the Assin South District of the Central Region veered off the road and plunged into a river.

It resulted in the death of two kindergarten pupils of the Alice Elites Academy.

The deceased, a three-year-old and a five-year-old, were among pupils who were in the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter bus with registration number AS 2218-20.

The accident occurred on the Assin Kwafokrom-Homaho stretch on Monday [June 1, 2026].

Graphic Online understands that the driver reportedly lost control of the vehicle, it veered off the road, and plunged into the river.

Dozens of pupils got injured.

ASP Wonder Lumor from the Motor Traffic and Transport Department (MTTD) of the Central North Regional Police Command told Graphic Online that the 40 injured pupils were transported to health facilities for emergency medical care.

According to him, 22 of the victims were taken to the St. Francis Xavier Hospital, while the 18 others received treatment at the Assin Edubiase Health Centre.

ASP Lumor explained that all the injured pupils responded positively to treatment and were later discharged.

graphic.com.gh