The people of Sefwi-Bekai in the Bibiani-Bekwai district of the Western Region have staged a demonstration against increasing reports of ritual killings in the area.

The demonstration, made up of members of the Bekwai Youth Association (BeYA), students of Sefwi Bekwai Senior High School, as well as pupils from various public and private schools also called for the immediate transfer of Police Inspector Mahamma, in charge of the Sefwi Bekwai Police Station.

They alleged that although there had been numerous reports of murders in the ara recently, the police at Sefwi Bekwai had not arrested anybody or groups.

The demonstrators numbering about 700, marched through some streets of the town holding placards with inscriptions such as "Remove bad reputation," "say big no to murder cases," "We need urgent transfer of station officer".

Speaking to the Times, Mr Anthony Korsah, chairman of the association expressed regret about increasing reports of murder cases in the area but said "the Sefwi Bekwai Police have not made any arrest for the past 17 years."

"We live under constant fear of losing our lives to murderers who usually escape punishment. We have a right to live just like any Ghanaian, "he said.

According to Mr Korsah, the area was regrettably famous for ritual killings and "this is tarnishing the image of the community."

He said the demonstration was to draw public attention to the fact that not every person in Sefwi Bekwai condones ritual killing.

The demonstration comes two months after Akua Nyamekye, 18, was murdered on her farm at Baakokrom in Sefwi.

The Bibiani District Police Commander, Superintendent Francis Enor, told the Times that Nyamekye, who was nursing a four-month old baby on July 27, this year, but was not returning home.

He said later in the day, Nyamekye’s younger sister informed the Sefwi-Bekwai traditional council which sent a search party to the bush to look for her.

She was found butchered on the farm, and her baby sitting by her unharmed.

Mr Enor said with the help of the community members, six persons were arrested in connection with the murder.

He said the suspects who were put before the Bibiani magistrate court, presided over by Mr Emmanuel Ankoma on September 15, have been remanded in police custody for a month to assist in investigations.

Times

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