Two people, found with a human head, have been arrested by the Hobor Police in the Ga South Municipality after an accident occurred with the vehicle, they were travelling in. According to an eyewitness, the driver was trying to apply the brakes when the car somersaulted, which is what caused the arrest.
The residents have been frightened by the incident, according to the assemblyman of the area, Peter Adonu. There have also been calls from the chief and the people of Hobor, asking the government to increase security in the area.
A Growing Canker
Ritual killing is a growing phenomenon in our country today. We have heard of similar cases as this, which is quite alarming. A video of a man who attempted to sacrifice his 11 – year old daughter for money went viral recently and sparked mass disapproval from the Ghanaian people.
There has also been a ritual killing at Lamptey Mills, a suburb of Kasoa where two young teenagers, a 15-year-old and 18-year-old boy killed an 11- year-old boy Ishmael Mensah Abdullah for ritual purposes and revealed that they had killed a pregnant woman for the same purpose. Justice is still being sought for the families of the deceased.
Why is ritual murder on the rise? It is more frightening to hear that young people are patronizing this act. Why must someone murder another human being for money? Is money now more important than life?
Why are Ritual Murders on the Rise?
- Unemployment: Unemployment remains a major concern of the typical Ghanaian youth. The hand that does not work doesn’t eat, thus, judging by the hardship that the Ghanaian faces to make ends meet (even for those who may be employed), easy money suddenly becomes a lucrative option for many youths in Ghana. Many go into computer fraud and to win big, some go the extra of making some rituals so they can get more money.
- Advertisements: Contemporary times have seen a surge in advertisements by fetish priests who promise to double money among other things. The lack of adequate regulation to check this problem results in a lot of people being brainwashed to patronise the services of these ‘money multipliers’ who at times may demand human sacrifices, pushing people to kill to make money.
- The celebrification of violence: Violence has become something that is celebrated nowadays. It may seem like the trend of the day and funny even but it desensitises people and make them belittle violent acts towards their fellow. No wonder people kill others and don’t even bat an eye. Violence has become a new currency.
The Way Forward
Citizens must be sensitized to be on the lookout and be very vigilant so that they do not fall victim to this evil practice. The police also need to heighten their strategies to ensure the safety of citizens. Also, all suspected cases of ritual murder should be immediately reported to the police.
The government must also play its part in providing employment opportunities for the youth, this will help curb the menace of ritual killing in an attempt to get rich quickly, which has become a resort for them due to economic hardship.
True. It is so annoying to switch on ur Tv or radio and all u see or hear is mallam this or that advertising their services. What is the NCA (National Communication Authority) doing about this?
Apparently, on the ticket of media freedom, the NCA has its hands tied as it is unable to dictate to the media what it should or should not broadcast. It gets quite disturbing because if that is the case then it looks like the NCA only exists to give licenses. I just hope that media people will rise above making money all the time and show some social responsibility for their fellow Ghanaians and take down such adverts by fetish priests among other spiritists.
Very disturbing 😕