Ghana: Eastern Regional Security Council disclaims video on alleged ritual murder

This morning my attention was drawn by a weird news item: reportedly, a video was circulating on social media in Ghana showing some men killing people for rituals at a hideout purported to be in or around the Eastern Regional capital, Koforidua. True or untrue? Too often I find the reality hard to believe and am skeptical about the (alleged) facts and rumors. Justified or not justified?

According to the official website of the Eastern Regional Co-ordinating Council, the Eastern Region (19,323 square kilometres or 8.1% of the total land area of Ghana) is the sixth largest region of this West African country and with a population of 2.6 million people it houses 11% of Ghana’s population, making it the third most populous region, after the Ashanti and Greater Accra. The Ghana Tourism Authority tells us that the Eastern Region of Ghana is a rich blend of dramatic landscape, historical relics and traditional cultures. 

This is exactly what the article presented below is all about, traditional culture. The content of the alleged video has been linked to the just ended burial rites of the late Omanhene of New Juaben Traditional Area, Daasebre Oti Boateng and the Queen Mother, Nana Yaa Daani II. The linkage of the video to the funeral results from a directive issued on the night of May 16 by the New Juaben Traditional Council for residents to stay indoors.

The Eastern Regional Minister, Seth Acheampong qualified the reported link between the video and the just ended burial rites as false and advised residents to treat these reports with contempt. He clarified that the announcement by the New Juaben Traditional Council was in line with customs and traditions, and to pay respect to the late Omanhene of the area.

We must take the Eastern Regional Security Council’s statement serious. However, it is important to note that the public is quick with associating traditional events such as burial rites with ritualistic practices including human sacrifices. The fact that these associations are the result of imagination and traditional beliefs is telling.

Besides, the Eastern Regional Minister emphasized that the viral video of a syndicate harvesting human parts is not from the Eastern Region. As is referred to in the tv broadcast covering this news, ritual murders are not an unknown phenomenon in this part of Ghana.
(webmaster FVDK)

Screenshot from tv reporting on the alleged ritual murder in the Eastern Region – to view click here
Warning: some readers may find this story disturbing

Eastern Regional Security Council disclaims video on alleged ritual murder

Eastern Regional Minister Seth Kwame Acheampong

Published: May 20, 2022
By: My Joy Online, Ghana

The Eastern Regional Security Council has refuted claims that the alleged ritual murder, captured on a video circulating on social media, occurred in the region.

According to the Eastern Regional Minister, Seth Acheampong, the assertions are false and must be treated with contempt.

In a statement signed by Mr. Acheampong, he noted that the entire report and video do not reflect the truth.

“The entire report and video with an unknown source being circulated on the social media purported to have happened in Koforidua in the Eastern Region is totally false and must be treated with the contempt that it deserves,” the statement emphasised.

Eastern Regional Security Council disclaims video on alleged ritual murder
A copy of the statement from the Eastern Regional Minister

A video circulating on social media shows some men killing people for rituals at a hideout purported to be in or around the Eastern Regional capital, Koforidua.

The content of the video has also been linked to the just ended burial rites of the late Omanhene of New Juaben Traditional Area, Daasebre Oti Boateng and the Queen Mother, Nana Yaa Daani II.

Eastern Regional Security Council disclaims video on alleged ritual murder
Shot from the alleged ritual murder video

The linkage of the video to the funeral, results from a directive issued on the night of May 16, by the New Juaben Traditional Council for residents to stay indoors.

But the statement from the Eastern Regional Minister, clarified that the announcement was in line with customs and traditions; and to pay respect to the late Omanhene of the area.

The Regional Minister further explained that adequate security personnel were deployed at the funeral grounds, in and around Koforidua during the funeral rites, and that such an incident could not have happened.

He noted that the region is peaceful and safe. He further assured residents that “security agencies shall continue to work hard to ensure safety, peace and security in the region”.

Source: Eastern Regional Security Council disclaims video on alleged ritual murder

Also see: Alleged ritual murder linked to Daasebre Oti Boateng’s burial rites is false – REGSEC