Ghana, Central Region: three fishermen mistaken as suspects in ritual killing case; assaulted by mob

Yesterday a posted an article on a suspected ritual murder attempt at Senya Beraku in the Central Region, Ghana. I also cautioned to be always careful in interpreting facts or so-called facts and not to jump to conclusions.

Apparently this is exactly what happened in the Assin South District of the Central Region when a mob attacked three men who were suspected of involvement in the beheading of young children. It was later discovered that they were innocent but then the beating was over and the fishermen had to be hospitalized where they are being treated – reportedly they are badly wounded.

Mob justice or jungle justice is always wrong. Let the police and the authorities do their work. The rule of law must always prevail.
(webmaster FVDK)

Three fishermen mistaken as suspects in ritual killing case; assaulted by mob

Published: January 31, 2024
By: Eric Nana Yaw Kwafo – Modern Ghana

Ghana, Central Region showing Assin South District where the incident took place

Source: C/R: Three fishermen mistaken as suspects in ritual killing case; assaulted by mob

Ghana, Central Region: man arrested for allegedly attempting to kill 11-year-old girl for rituals

The article presented below is a case of a suspected ritual murder attempt. A word of caution is warranted here: not all details are known yet and the motives and intentions of the suspect, who has been arrested, are also unknown.

It is always important to be vigilant and not to jump to conclusions. The suspicion and related accusations are too serious to accept them without any concrete proof supporting the allegations.

Be that as it may it do not wish to withhold you the report. After all, ritualistic killings do happen in the Central Region of this – otherwise peaceful – West African country.
(webmaster FVDK)

Man, 27, arrested for allegedly attempting to kill 11-year-old girl for rituals

Published: January 30, 2024
By: Adom Online, Ghana

Ghana – Senya Beraku is located in the Awutu Senya East District of the Central Region

A 27-year-old man identified as Clifford has been arrested for allegedly attempting to kill an 11-year-old girl for rituals at Senya Beraku in the Central Region.

The young girl, who had been playing with friends around 10:pm, failed to return home, prompting residents to launch a search. 

Concerned about her well-being, the case was subsequently reported to the police.

During the search, a resident saw Clifford with the 11-year-old girl in a bush near the beach.

According to the eyewitness, the suspect had a knife pressed against the girl’s neck. 

In an attempt to rescue the victim, he said Clifford attached him with the knife. He raised alarm and two other people rush to the scene to apprehend the suspect.

He was handed over to the police and processed to the Awutu Bereku District court.

Investigations are underway to identify possible accomplices. 

Meanwhile, the suspect has been remanded and will reappear in court on February 8.

Source: Man, 27, arrested for allegedly attempting to kill 11-year-old girl for rituals

Ghana, Central Region: man arrested for killing his 3-week-old baby for rituals

A gruesome murder for ritualistic purposes took place in Ghana’s Central Region on January 22.

A 3-week-old baby was the innocent victim of superstition, greed and a criminal mind. The baby’s father and two accomplices have been arrested in connection with the alleged ritual murder case, a swift action for which the Ghanaian police is to be commended.

One of the three accused persons is the 21-year-old father of the baby victim. How on earth is it possible that the belief in witchcraft or the power which ritualistic murder is supposed to create can make a person the murderer of his or her own child? How can you believe that sacrificing a newborn baby for ‘money ritual’ can create ‘juju’ ultimately resulting in (more) wealth, power or another desired goal for the perpetrator(s)?

More research is needed to reveal the reasons behind ritualistic murders and related criminal acts. The belief in the power of ritualistic murders is widespread in Ghana, but not exclusively in this West African country, as the evidence presented on this site clearly demonstrates.

Warning: one or more of the following articles contain(s) graphic details which may upset readers.
(webmaster FVDK)

District sof the Central Region including Gomoa East District where the alleged ritual sacrifice took place.
Gomoa East District is one of the twenty-two districts of the Central Region.

Man arrested for killing his 3-week-old baby for rituals

Published: January 23, 2024
By: Kofi Adjei – Myjoyonline, Ghana

A 21-year-old father only identified as Bright is in the grips of the Awutu Bereku District Police Command over the murder of his three-week old baby.

Bright according to reports has killed the baby for suspected money rituals at Fetteh Kakraba in the Gomoa East District of the Central Region.

The unfortunate incident occurred on Monday night when he came to visit the baby and mother.

In an interview with Adom News, Bright’s friend narrated that the child’s mother left the sleeping baby inside to run an errand. 

Bright then asked his friend to go and bring the baby from the room which he did, allegedly without knowing he had ulterior motives.

“I met Bright on the school park with the baby and a few minutes later, the mother called that he was missing,” he narrated.

A resident disclosed a search party was launched for the baby immediately after the news about the baby’s disappearance broke out.

Bright’s friend was apprehended after the group had a tip-off that he was the one who took the baby out of the room.

The accomplice led the search party to the school park but Bright had already killed the baby when they got there.

Bright and his friend have been arrested and are assisting with investigations.

Source: Man arrested for killing his 3-week-old baby for rituals

And:

Awutu Bereku: 21year old father apprehended by Police for killing newborn baby for rituals

Click here to listen to the audio

Published: January 23, 2024
By: Eric Nana Yaw Kwafo – Modern Ghana

Source: Awutu Bereku: 21year old father apprehended by Police for killing newborn baby for rituals

More:

Ritual Killing: 21-Year-Old Man Arrested For Killing His 3-Week-Old Baby In Gomoa East

The killing took place at Fetteh Kakraba in the Gomoa East District. Source: Getty Images

Published: January 23, 2024
By: Delali Adogla-Bessa – Yen, Ghana

  • A man has been arrested for the murder of a three-week-old baby at Fetteh Kakraba in the Gomoa East District
  • The suspect is the baby’s father, who is believed to have killed his son for rituals on January 22
  • The suspect’s friend was apprehended, and he revealed the role he had played in the baby’s disappearance.

The Awutu Bereku District Police Command has arrested a 21-year-old father over the murder of his three-week-old baby.

The suspect, identified only as Bright, is believed to have killed his son for rituals on January 22.

The killing took place at Fetteh Kakraba in the Gomoa East District of the Central Region.

Bright’s friend told Adom news that the child’s mother left the baby to run an errand.

Bright then asked his friend to go and bring the baby from the room without revealing his alleged motives.

The community was alerted, and a search party tried to find the missing baby.

Bright’s friend was apprehended, and he revealed the role he had played in the baby’s disappearance.

By the time they had found Bright, he had allegedly already killed the baby. Bright and his friend have been arrested and are assisting with investigations.

Source:
Ritual Killing: 21-Year-Old Man Arrested For Killing His 3-Week-Old Baby In Gomoa East

More:

Father who allegedly beheaded 3-month-old baby, two accomplices remanded

Published: January 25, 2024
By: Seth Kofi Adjei – Adom Online, Ghana

A father who allegedly murdered his 3-months-old baby, his lover and a 17-year-old friend have been remanded by the Awutu Bereku District Court in the Central region.

The suspect, Bright Larvie, was arrested for allegedly beheading his own child for money rituals. 

Investigations led to the arrest of his lover, Linda Asare and their 17-year-old acquaintance, Kingsley Yeboah.

The Awutu Bereku District Police Command arranged the suspects before court presided over by Justice Naomi Kuntor. 

The court, considering the gravity of the charges and the ongoing investigation, decided to remand the suspects into police custody.

The 17-year-old was sent to a special facility due to his age.

They are set to reappear before the court on February 5, 2024.

Residents in Fetteh Kakraba are still grappling with the shock and horror of such a tragic event.

Source: Father who allegedly beheaded 3-month-old baby, two accomplices remanded

Ghana – Regional map – Administrative Division

Ghana: The National Head Pastor of the 7th Day Pentecostal Assemblies calls for effective enforcement of laws on ritual murders

In Ghana, on average at least 16 ritual murders occur each year. Every fortnight, a family mourns the death of a loved one who lost his or her life because of the wickedness, unscrupulousness and the belief in witchcraft of the perpetrator(s) who search power, prestige, wealth or good health by committing a ritual murder.

The National Head Pastor of the 7th Day Pentecostal Church, Elder Enoch Ofori Jr., addressed a large crowd at the end of December (2022), condemning ritualistic practices and calling on the government to apply the rule of law. The meeting was organized by the 7th Day Pentecostal Assemblies and was held in the Ashanti Region (Central Region). In particular, the reverend minister cited the notorious Mankessim ritual murder case which occurred in the Central Region last year. I’ve reported on this ritual murder case on various occasions (see my postings dated September 27, September 30, and October 1, October 2 and October 3).

Elder Enoch Oforu is to be commended for raising his voice against the ugly practice of ritualistic killings in the country. His condemnation is even more important as he spoke at a meeting which was attended by the entire 25 branch churches across the country.
(webmaster FVDK).

Rev Minister calls for effective enforcement of laws on ritual murders

Published: January 3, 2023
By: King Amoah – Modern Ghana

Source: Rev Minister calls for effective enforcement of laws on ritual murders

Ghana – Mankessim ritual murder: Awakrom chief calls for arrest of ‘missing’ fetish priest, Ebusuapanyin

For a better understanding of the article cited below it is highly recommended to read yesterday’s posting with useful background information on the cultural-historic background pertaining to this ritual murder case as well as background information on the three arrested suspects (webmaster FVDK).

Mankessim murder: Awakrom chief calls for arrest of ‘missing’ fetish priest, Ebusuapanyin

Two of the arrested suspects

Published: October 2, 2022
By: Ghana Web

Source: Mankessim murder: Awakrom chief calls for arrest of ‘missing’ fetish priest, Ebusuapanyin

Ghana: suspects confess to ritual killing in Mankessim Murder

Warning: the following article’s graphic content may upset some readers.

Yesterday I reported on four recent ritual murder cases in Ghana, one of them being the killing for ritualistic purposes of a young lady, Georgina Asor Botchwey, a student nurse, at Mankessim, in the Central Region.

The murder took place on September 9 of this year. Two suspects have been arrested. The suspects are a self-styled pastor Michael Darko, 48; and the Tufuhene of Ekumfi Akwakrom Christopher Ekow Quansah, 65, who reportedly kidnapped, killed, and secretly buried the victim.

Screenshot – click here to watch the YouTube video

The Ghanaian police is to be commended for its swift action. We will follow closely subsequent events. (webmaster FVDK)

Suspects Confess To Ritual Killing In Mankessim Murder

Published: September 23, 2022
By: Gloria Kafu Ahiable – The Ghana Report

Two suspects involved in the murder of a student nurse at Mankessim in the Central Region have admitted to killing the victim for ritual purposes.

The suspects, a self-styled pastor Michael Darko, 48; and the Tufuhene of Ekumfi Akwakrom Christopher Ekow Quansah, 65, reportedly kidnapped, killed, and secretly buried the victim.

The police said the two confessed to “murdering the victim for money rituals.”

“During police interrogation, suspect Michael Darko, who is the alleged boyfriend of the senior sister of the deceased victim and was last seen with her, led police to the location where they had buried her after the murder.”

The body has since been exhumed and deposited at the Cape Coast Teaching Hospital morgue for preservation and autopsy.

Meanwhile, the two accused persons were hauled before the District Court II in Cape Coast to respond to their crime on 22 September 2022.

They were remanded in police custody by the Cape Coast Court to reappear on 4 October 2022.

Both have been charged with conspiracy to commit murder and murder, contrary to section 46 of the Criminal Offenses Act 1960, Act 29.

What happened to the student nurse

The student nurse, Georgina Asor Botchwey, was allegedly kidnapped, killed and secretly buried by the chief and the pastor in the chief’s house at Mankessim.

The victim, 25, is said to have gone for an interview at the Ankaful Nursing Training College when the pastor, who happens to be her sister’s boyfriend, invited her for a meeting.

After the interview, the victim set off to meet her soon‐to‐be brother‐in‐law. Little did she know a trap had been set before she arrived in Cape Coast on 8 September 2022.

The self-styled pastor had conspired with the chief, who is the Tufuhene of Ekumfi Akwakrom, to kidnap and sexually assault her.

On 9 September 2022, the accused persons picked the victim up in a Taxi at the Ankaful Hospital Pedu junction in Cape Coast.

They then took her to an uncompleted building belonging to the chief, where they had dug a hole in preparation for the ritual.

The chief is said to have hit the deceased with a club, and when she fell, her sister’s boyfriend dragged her by the feet while the chief held her neck till she died.

Meanwhile, news that the deceased had been missing for three weeks began to spread in the Mankessim after she failed to return home after the interview.

A notice in circulation read:

“Georgina Botchwey went for an interview at Cape Coast on Wednesday, and up till now, she cannot be found; her phone is off. Please, anybody with information about her should call 0208503126 or 0247048711.”

Following this notice, a friend of the deceased raised an alarm about Georgina meeting with her sister’s boyfriend.

Shortly after the tip-off, the pastor was arrested in Cape Coast and admitted to the crime.

He subsequently led the police to the residence where Georgina had been buried, and her body was exhumed.

The family of the murdered student nurse later disclosed that the suspects initially demanded a ransom from them.

According to Georgina Asor Botchwey’s relatives, the pastor and his accomplice had demanded that they pay GH¢15,000 for her release.

Unfortunately, the family could not raise the said amount.

Source: Suspects Confess To Ritual Killing In Mankessim Murder

Ghana: four recent ritual murder cases: Abesim, Kasoa, Mankessim, Wa

Ghana’s reputation abroad is one of a stable democracy, with a relative healthy economy, albeit plagued by problems which are characteristic for a developing economy: low incomes, lack of jobs, shortage of capital, to name but a few.

However, there is another Ghana, a traditional Ghana, where people believe in the power of ‘juju’, in superstition, and where criminal people do not hesitate to attack their fellow countrymen for the purposes of ritualistic activities, even if this means that the victims die in the hands of their torturers and murderers.

The four cases cited below illustrate this. The ritualistic murders took place in various parts of the country.

In the past I have given ample attention to the Kasoa case which occurred to the west of the country’s capital Accra (Greater Accra region). All murder cases are tragic but the Kasoa case even more because of the background of the young murderers. The Abesim murder which made two victims, two boys of 12 and 15 years old, took place in the Brong Ahafo Region. The Mankassim murder case is situated in Ghana’s Central Region (Ashanti Region), between Cape Coast and Winneba. I will report more on this case in the next few days. Finally, the gruesome ritualistic murder in Wa, in the Upper West Region.

Tthe reader is warned that the graphic details of the murder(s) may be shocking.
(webmaster FVDK)

Four recent ritual murder cases: Abesim, Kasoa, Mankessim, Wa

Published: September 26, 2022
By: Ghana Web

was conducted at his home.

Source: Four recent ‘ritual’ murder cases: Kasoa, Abesim, Mankessim, Wa

Ghana: female student murdered at Cape Coast, private parts removed by unknown assailants

A shocking news item, but it is important to emphasize that the police hasn’t yet confirmed that we’re dealing here with a ritual murder, even though there are indications of ritualistic activities. To be objective, one has to include the possibility that seemingly ritualistic activities such as removing organs or other body parts aim to mislead the investigators and that the perpetrator thus tries to cover up another crime.

As soon as more details will emerge I will inform the reader accordingly.
(webmaster FVDK)

Woman murdered at Cape Coast, genitals removed

The identity and family of the deceased is yet to be established

Published: May 14, 2022
BY; Kasaha fmonline

A lady believed to be in her early twenties has been murdered and her genitals removed at Ola, a suburb of Cape Coast in the Central Region Friday night.

The deceased who is suspected to be a student of the Ola College of Education or University of Cape Coast was found lifeless along the road around the College premises.

The Authorities of the Ola College of Education and the University of Cape Coast have not yet confirmed whether the said deceased was a student of any of the schools.

The residents of Ola were thrown into a state of shock after they found the body of the light-skinned lady lying in a pool of blood with several machete wounds on the body near the Ola Catholic Church Stretch.

According to eyewitnesses, initially, they assumed a car had knocked the deceased and the driver escaped but upon getting closer they realized her vagina had been removed with blood oozing from her nose and mouth making them suspect the assailant may have committed that heinous crime for rituals purposes.

An inspection of her body showed that some of her body parts had been removed by her assailants who it is believed cut them for use in rituals.

The Police who were notified of the incident conveyed the body to the Cape Coast Teaching Hospital mortuary.

Meanwhile, the Police have commenced an investigation into the incident.

The family of the deceased is yet to be identified and no arrest has been made.

Source: Kasapafmonline.com/Yaw Boagyan

Source: Woman murdered at Cape Coast, genitals removed

Ghana, Central Region: palm wine tapper’s lifeless body found without the head

When the dead body of a man believed to be in his fifties was found with his head missing, everyone thought of a ritual crime. Although nobody knows exact how many ritual murders are being committed and the official number of victims of ritualistic acts being (relatively speaking) low, dead bodies with missing body parts immediately lead to the conclusion that a ritual murder has been committed. 

Let’s hope the police investigations into the crime are fruitful and the exact circumstances of the man’s death are soon known. If indeed a heinous crime was committed, the perpetrator(s) must be apprehended soon and brought to justice. The rule of law must apply and superstition must be banned from society as quick as possible. Living without fear for his / her life is a human right (webmaster FVDK).

Palm wine tapper’s lifeless body found without the head

Palm wine tapper’s lifeless body found without the head

Published: April 21, 2021
By: Pulse, Ghana – Andreas Kamasah

The lifeless body of a palm wine tapper believed to be in his 50’s has reportedly been discovered but his head could not be found.

The deceased identified as Agya Manu is believed to have been killed on a farm at Dunkwa Asoboa in the Upper Denkyira East District of the Central Region, according to a report by Starrfm.com.gh.

Kasapa FM’s Yaw Boagyan reported that he was alleged to have been killed and dumped in the bush with his head severed for alleged money rituals.

Agya Manu left home on Sunday 18 April around 5:30 am for his farm to tap some palm wine before returning to join the family for the Sunday service, but unusual of him, as at 4:PM in the evening he had still not returned.

His worried children were sent to trace his footsteps but they only returned with the bottle he had left home with at the exact end he was to fetch the palm wine.

Residents and family of the deceased became even more alarmed and organised a search for him but that did not yield any result.

Then, on Tuesday 20th April, a lady named Maame Otu found the body which was suspected to be that of Agya Manu lying at the entrance to her farm.

She hurried home to break the sad news to the community, members of which converged on the scene and confirmed through physical examination that the corpse was indeed that of Agya Manu.

Police in Dunkwa have taken custody of the body and samples of his blood have been taken to Dunkwa On-Offin government hospital for examination while an investigation is expected to commence into the incident.

Source: Palm wine tapper’s lifeless body found without the head

Districts of the Central Region, Ghana

Buduburam, Ghana: Okada rider found dead with manhood, ears and eyes missing

Was the killing of an Okada rider a ritual murder in light of the missing body parts or was it an ‘ordinary murder’ by Buduburam criminals who by removing the body parts wanted creating a cover-up for their crime? A legitimate question, but the neighborhood has no doubts. It was a murder for ritual purposes.

The body was found at Blue Rose Estate, a suburb of Buduburam, in the Gomoa East District of Ghana’s Central Region.

The murder took place only a few days after the lifeless body of a man, estimated to be in his 50s, had been discovered – whereas his head cold not be found – and some weeks after the ritual murder of Ishmael Mensah Abdallah, a 10-year old boy, both in the Central Region. Apparently, so-called ‘money rituals’ are on the increase in Ghana. In this indeed a growing trend and, if yes, what is the explanation for this phenomenon based on superstition and greed?

We will closely watch future events in Ghana and come back to you when more facts emerge (webmaster FVDK).

Buduburam: Okada rider found dead with manhood, ears and eyes missing

Buduburam: Okada rider found dead with manhood, ears and eyes missing

Published: April 25, 2021
By: Pulse, Ghana – Emmanuel Ayamga

A commercial motorbike rider, locally known as Okada, has been found dead with some of his body parts missing.  The lifeless body of the unidentified man was found at Blue Rose Estate, a suburb of Buduburam in the Gomoa East District of the Central Region.

According to a report by Adomonline, the deceased, who is in his 20s, was found without his penis, ears and eyes.

Other parts were also missing from the body of the motorbike rider, in what is widely suspected to be a murder for ritual purposes.

Reports suggest the killers hired the rider but murdered him midway through the journey and also bolted with his motorbike.

The body of the deceased has since been deposited at the St Gregory Hospital mortuary, with the Police also commencing investigations. 

Meanwhile, the Chief of Buduburam, Nana Kojo Essel II, has bemoaned the high rate of crime in the community.

He appealed to the government to demolish the Buduburam “Gab”, which has become a hideout for criminals.

This comes just weeks after 10-year-old Ishmael Mensah Abdallah was gruesomely murdered at Kasoa in the Central region for money rituals.

Source: Buduburam: Okada rider found dead with manhood, ears and eyes missing

Related article (identical to the previous one):

Central Region: Okada Rider Murdered; Manhood, Ears and Eyes missing

Published: April 26, 2021
By: Africa At Random – Mustafa Sana

A commercial motorbike rider, locally known as Okada, has been found dead with some of his body parts missing. The lifeless body of the unidentified man was found at Blue Rose Estate, a suburb of Buduburam in the Gomoa East District of the Central Region.

According to a report by Adomonline, the deceased, who is in his 20s, was found without his penis, ears and eyes.

Other parts were also missing from the body of the Okada rider, in what is widely suspected to be a murder for ritual purposes.

Reports suggest the killers hired the rider but murdered him midway through the journey and also bolted with his motorbike.

The body of the deceased has since been deposited at the St Gregory Hospital mortuary, with the Police also commencing investigations.

Meanwhile, the Chief of Buduburam, Nana Kojo Essel II, has bemoaned the high rate of crime in the community.

He appealed to the government to demolish the Buduburam “Gab”, which has become a hideout for criminals.

This comes just weeks after 10-year-old Ishmael Mensah Abdallah was gruesomely murdered at Kasoa in the Central region for money rituals.

The heinous crime was committed by two teenagers, identified as Felix Nyarko and Nicholas Kiki, who have since been apprehended by the Police.

The suspects, aged 16 and 18, later confessed to taking their young neighbour’s life on the instruction of a spiritualist, whom they had discovered on television.

Source: Pulse news

Source: Central Region: Okada Rider Murdered; Manhood, Ears and Eyes missing

Blue Rose Estate is a suburb of Buduburam in the Gomoa East District, Central Region, Ghana