Ghana Police Intensify Crackdown Following Gruesome Ritual Murder and High-Value Robberies Across Multiple Regions

Law enforcement agencies in Ghana are currently managing a surge in high-profile criminal cases, ranging from a chilling ritual murder in the Central Region to daring armed robberies targeting foreign firms and residential areas. The most prominent case involves the arrest and confession of Michael Xorlali Alortusah (also identified as Cudjoe Hlolary), a 25-year-old fetish priest accused of murdering 41-year-old trader Joyce Akua Amponmaa. The victim, a mother of three, sought spiritual assistance for a recurring ailment but was instead decapitated. During interrogation, Alortusah claimed he was possessed by a malevolent spirit that compelled him to kill, an admission that has shocked the Awutu Bentum community and sparked calls for stricter regulations on unlicensed spiritual healers. The suspect has been remanded by the Adabraka District Court as police continue their search for the victim's remains, allegedly buried in the Volta Region.

In tandem with these investigations, the Ghana Police Service has recorded significant successes in combating violent robberies. In the Western Region, five suspects were apprehended following a daring heist at Velotop Co. Ltd in Asankragwa. The gang, armed with shotguns and machetes, held staff and three Chinese nationals hostage while stealing GHS 200,000. Through a rapid tactical response, police intercepted the suspects' getaway vehicle, recovering nearly all the stolen cash and multiple firearms. Concurrently, in Accra, Daniel Odai Afotey was arrested for a major burglary in Spintex. Afotey allegedly stole over $22,000 and GH‡1,000 in cash, along with high-value jewelry. Following a raid at Labone Beach, police recovered the stolen items and are currently searching for an accomplice known as 'Ewonam'.

The danger inherent in these law enforcement operations was highlighted in the Assin South District, where a police officer from the Intelligence Directorate was shot in the knee during a high-speed pursuit. The operation targeted a sophisticated goat-stealing syndicate that utilized sirens to impersonate official vehicles. Despite the gunfire, police successfully arrested four suspects and recovered approximately 180 stolen goats. This incident, along with a tragic kidnapping-murder case in Uganda involving a four-year-old boy, underscores a broader regional concern regarding violent crime and the safety of both citizens and security personnel.

These collective incidents have prompted a national conversation regarding public security and the oversight of traditional practitioners. While families of the victims, particularly Joyce Akua Amponmaa, are vocally demanding justice, the Western Regional and Central Regional Police Commands have reassured the public of their commitment to maintaining order. As several accomplices remain at large across these various cases, authorities are urging the public to provide any information that could lead to further arrests. The suspects already in custody face various charges including murder, armed robbery, and housebreaking, with court proceedings expected to commence in the coming weeks.