Two individuals suspected to be ritualists were apprehended by the Ghana Police in Charia, a suburb of the Wa Municipality.
The arrests occurred on Sunday, July 28, 2024, after the suspects were detained by youth and subsequently handed over to the police for further interrogation.
The suspects were reportedly seen performing rituals before the gods at the market square, holding a piece of white cloth, cowries, and a 50 pesewas coin.
These actions were considered a violation of the area’s tradition, which holds that performing rituals before the gods without permission from the landlords and traditionalists requires a cleansing of the land.
Abayemwini Francis Yendau, speaking to upperwestnews.com, expressed concern, stating, “Performing rituals before the gods without permission from the landlords and traditionalists is against our tradition. They have to cleanse the land to appease the gods.”
Yendau further explained that the suspects had approached some children, offering them money to take them to Wa, which culminated in their arrest.
This incident has heightened tensions in the community, especially considering the recent history of the Wa Serial Killings, one of whose victims was from Charia.
In the past, the youth in the community arrested a suspect related to the Wa Serial Killings and handed him over to the police, but no updates were provided. This led them to petition the Overlord of the Waala Traditional Council without success.
Given this history, Yendau emphasized the community’s demand for thorough police investigation and interrogation of current suspects.
“The youth is unhappy and wants the police to interrogate and investigate the suspects, unlike what happened in the past. This case is a test case for the police, and the outcome will inform the youth on how to handle future arrests of suspicious characters in Charia,” he said.
The community awaits the next steps by the police while hoping for a more transparent and effective investigation this time around.
