Public reactions have trailed a viral video showing Ghanaian artiste Patapaa, born Justice Amoa, holding a polythene bag filled with cash contributions during the one-week observance for his late mother.
The video sparked discussion online, with some users questioning why the artiste was seen carrying the money. Patapaa has since moved to clarify the circumstances, saying the gesture was rooted in family customs rather than personal intent.
He explained that within their tradition, financial donations made at such gatherings are not kept arbitrarily but are formally handed to the eldest child, who then takes charge of funeral arrangements and related responsibilities.
According to him, what was seen in the video was not self-collection or personal control of funds, but an official handover from the family.
“It is tradition. The money is given to the eldest child since he is the one to oversee the burial of the late parent. So they gave me the money, and that was it. I did not go for it on my own volition,” he said.
The one-week celebration for his mother took place on February 17, 2026, at the family residence in Agona Swedru, where Patapaa, his father, and siblings gathered to honour her memory.
The event drew mourners and sympathisers, with several videos from the ceremony circulating widely on social media.
In one video, the artiste appeared visibly sombre as he interacted with attendees, while another showed him holding a yellow polythene bag containing the donations, a moment that ultimately triggered the online conversations.
Watch his explanation below.
“I was just following tradition.”
— 𝐀𝐒𝐊 (@askghmedia) March 22, 2026
— Musician Patapaa explains why he was holding the money received at his mother’s funeral in Swedru pic.twitter.com/SPLjdzr5My
