The article "A Genre Analysis of Death Announcements in Ghanaian Newspapers" by Dr. Joseph B. A. Afful published in 2010 explored the structure and linguistic features of obituaries in Ghana. It identifies a common schematic structure within these announcements, highlighting how language is used to reflect socio-cultural norms and values. 

The study reveals the presence of obligatory and optional moves within the announcements, demonstrating how they serve as a medium to express respect, social status, and communal ties, while also navigating the complexities of mourning and remembrance. 

Obituaries in Ghana have five core elements: 

• caption

• a list of key members of the deceased’s family and clan as well as organisations to which the deceased might have belonged

• a profile of the deceased

• the arrangement of the funeral activities

• and a second list of family members only

However, there were two additional but optional elements: 

• prescription of attire 

• extension of invitation

Prescription of attire could sometimes be placed anywhere in the obituaries but the extension of invitation, when present, always signalled the end of the obituary. 

Each element serves a specific purpose, from informing the community to celebrating the deceased's life and reinforcing social bonds. 

These underscore the intricate balance between traditional values and the evolving societal expectations in Ghanaian obituaries, offering valuable insights for understanding the socio-linguistic landscape of Ghana.