The family of a 41-year-old trader, Joyce Akua Amponmaa, is demanding justice after she was allegedly murdered by a fetish priest while seeking spiritual help.
The victim, a mother of three who traded at Kasoa in the Awutu Senya West District, had reportedly visited the priest, identified as Okomfo Hlolary, for healing after experiencing what she believed to be a spiritual problem.
Her family, originally from Akyem Ayirebi, says the suspect has allegedly confessed to killing and decapitating the trader for ritual purposes.
According to the victim’s father, Kweku Yeboah, his daughter first met the priest several months ago after discovering charms placed in front of her shop, which she believed had caused severe pain in her leg.
He told Adom News that the priest initially treated her successfully, which made the family trust him when she returned for further assistance.
However, the latest visit reportedly ended in tragedy.
Mr Yeboah said the suspect claimed he was possessed after his brother handed him a human hand while they were following the victim into a bush area to give her herbal treatment.
He allegedly pulled out a cutlass and beheaded her while she was walking ahead of them.
The suspect is also said to have claimed that he transported the victim’s head and other body parts to his hometown in the Volta Region, where they were allegedly buried.
Police have begun investigations and are working with authorities in the Volta Region to locate the burial site and retrieve the remains.
The victim’s family says recovering the body parts is important to give her a proper burial.
The incident has shocked residents of Awutu Bentum, with many calling for stricter regulation of unlicensed spiritualists and traditional healers.
The suspect remains in police custody and is assisting investigators.
Meanwhile, the family says it will closely follow the case to ensure that those responsible face the full force of the law.
