The Minister of Gender, Children and Social Protection, Sarah Adwoa Safo, has condemned the murder of a 10-year-old boy at Kasoa, Central Region, by two teenagers.

A statement issued by the Dome Kwabenya MP on 6 April 2021 noted: “It is with deep sadness that I learnt of the death of an 11-year-old boy at Kasoa, who was allegedly brutally murdered for ritual purposes. My heartfelt condolences go to the family, especially the mother of the young boy whose life has been cut short in such a gruesome manner.

“As a mother myself, with a son just around that age, I can imagine her pain and the anguish she is experiencing. The thought of any parent losing a child is unbearable, especially under such dastardly circumstances. My heart really goes out to her.”

She added: “This disturbing act should be a wake-up call to all Ghanaians, that as a country, we will teach our children that there is dignity in hard work and with it comes the benefits thereof. We seem to have pushed aside the values and attributes of hard work, honesty and service to each other which are the building blocks of every fair and just society.” 

Meanwhile, the two teenagers have been remanded in police custody by the Ofaakor district court presided over by her worship, Rosemond Vera Ocloo.

Felix Nyarko and Nicholas Kini allegedly conspired and killed Ishmael Mensah on Saturday, 3 April 2021, for money rituals.

The two boys have been charged with murder and are to reappear in court on 20 April 2021.

Hordes of curious locals thronged the court on Monday to witness the hearing.

At the hearing was the family of the murdered little boy, whose mother wailed continuously in the premises of the court.

Read the Gender Minister's statement below:

Tuesday, April 6, 2021.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE STATEMENT BY MINISTER OF GENDER, CHILDREN AND SOCIAL PROTECTION ON GRUESOME MURDER OF 10-YEAR-OLD BOY AT KASOA.

It is with deep sadness that I learnt of the death of a 10-year-old boy at Kasoa who was allegedly brutally murdered for ritual purposes. My heartfelt condolences go to the family, especially the mother of the young boy whose life has been cut short in such a gruesome manner.

As a mother myself, with a son just around that age, I can imagine her pain and the anguish she is experiencing. The thought of any parent losing a child is unbearable, especially under such dastardly circumstances. My heart really goes out to her.

It is disturbing that this grotesque act was committed by teenagers who are barely 16 and 17 years respectively who ideally should have exemplified honourable aspirations for their lives instead of this undignified way to enrich themselves.

This is unfortunately indicative of the reality and times we live in, where a section of our youth would go to every extent to live ostentatious lives without putting in any commensurate hard work and effort. This disturbing act should be a wake-up call to all Ghanaians, that as a country, we will teach our children that there is dignity in hard work and with it comes the benefits thereof.

We seem to have pushed aside the values and attributes of hard work, honesty and service to each other which are the building blocks of every fair and just society. I also plead with the media to take a tough stand against spiritualists and occultists who openly advertise on their platforms and entice these young ones to engage in these acts.

It is time to take the moral right and uphold the values of our nation and safeguard the future of our kids and our dear nation in that regard. I urge all parents and guardians to be very much interested in the growth of and also be protective of their wards. It is refreshing that the Ghana Police Service acted swiftly and apprehended the suspects.

I trust in their investigative prowess to unravel the probable motive behind this heinous crime and it is my hope that they will expedite their investigations so we can give the family of young Ishmael the justice and closure they deserve. Once the culprits, who unfortunately happen to be teenagers are tried and convicted, we will be willing and ready to absorb them into our Juvenile Correctional Centers under the Department of Social Welfare.

Once again, my sincerest condolences to the family.

We will be with you every step of the way. Thank You.

HON. SARAH ADWOA SAFO(MP)

MINISTER OF GENDER, CHILDREN AND SOCIAL PROTECTION