Assembly Member Urges Landlords to Screen Tenants After Decomposed Body Found at Aburaso

The Assembly Member for Aburaso/Edwaase Electoral Area in the Atwima Kwanwoma District of the Ashanti Region, Hon. Mercy Dufie, has called on landlords and landladies across the country, particularly within her jurisdiction, to conduct thorough background checks on prospective tenants before renting out their properties.

She made the call following a disturbing incident at Aburaso, where a man was discovered dead in his rented room four days after his passing, with no known family member or relative to identify him.

According to Hon. Dufie, the unfortunate development exposed serious gaps in tenant documentation, making it difficult for authorities and community leaders to trace the deceased’s relatives or obtain basic personal information.

She stressed that landlords must ensure they properly know who occupies their properties to avoid such situations. “Landlords should collect essential details such as next of kin contacts, hometowns, family addresses and telephone numbers of tenants. This information becomes very important in emergencies or unforeseen circumstances,” she said.

The Assembly Member noted that the lack of tenant records often complicates police investigations in cases involving crime, sudden death or tenant disappearance. She added that proper background checks would not only protect landlords but also enhance security within communities.

Hon. Dufie further advised landlords to work closely with unit committee members, assembly officials and opinion leaders to verify the identities and backgrounds of new tenants, especially those relocating from outside the district.

She emphasized that the move is not intended to intimidate or discriminate against tenants but to promote accountability, trust and peaceful coexistence. “When people know they can be identified and traced, it helps reduce criminal activities and encourages responsible living,” she stated.

She also urged tenants to cooperate with landlords by providing accurate and truthful information, noting that such measures protect both parties in the event of disputes or emergencies.

Hon. Mercy Dufie concluded by appealing to landlords and landladies to treat tenant background checks as a necessary step toward community safety, effective local governance and the prevention of avoidable distressing situations like the recent incident at Aburaso.