Mankessim murder

The murder of Georgina Asor Botchwey, an aspiring trainee nurse, is alleged to have been carried out by the Tufuhene (Chief) of Ekumfi Akwakrom Christopher Ekow Clark Quansah (known as Nana Clark Onyaa)[1] and a pastor Michael Darko Amponsah (known as Nana 1). The crime was committed at Mankessim in the Central Region of Ghana.[2][3] The killing came after the victim was allegedly kidnapped by the pastor after she went for an interview at the Ankaful Nursing Training College.[4]

Background

Georgina Asor Botchwey was a 22-year old prospective nurse who traveled from Yeji in the Bono East Region to the Ankaful Psychiatric Nursing Training School to attend an interview for admission.[5][6] On 8 September 2022, she arrived in Cape Coast and called Michael Darko Amponsah about her mission. On 9 September 2022, the accused persons planned to kill Georgina for money rituals.[7][8]

Murder

Michael Darko Amponsah, a fiancé of the victim's sister allegedly kidnapped her, demanded GHS15,000 as a ransom from her family, sexually assaulted, murdered and buried her secretly in the kitchen of Nana Clark after the family failed to pay that amount.[9] She was buried in Sikafuambantem a suburb of Mankessim in the Central Region.[10]

Arrest

On 22 September 2022, Nana Clark was arrested in Akwakrom in the Ekumfi District and Michael Darko was also arrested.[11][12] They were charged with conspiracy to commit murder, to wit murder and murder contrary to section 46 of the Criminal and Offences Acts 1980, Act 29 by the Cape Coast District Court.[13][14][15]

Condemnation

Ophelia Mensah Hayford who is the MP for Mfantsiman Constituency condemned the act and called for calm among people in her constituency.[9]

Aftermath

Further investigations by the police led to the establishment of another killing of Gloria Yeboah by the accused persons. On 17 June 2022, they lured her by pretending to help her travel abroad but took her to Mankessim were they murdered and buried her. She was from Obokrom in Kumasi.[14][16] They also confessed to killing a male who was a teacher, who they shot and killed after they invited him. Also, they allegedly shot and killed a female trader.[17][18][19]

References

1. Tornyi, Emmanuel (2022-10-05). "Mankessim murder: Mason didn't kill but dug hole for burying victims — Chief confesses". Pulse Ghana. Archived from the original on 2022-10-05. Retrieved 2022-10-05.
2. "C/R: Pastor confesses killing, burying student nurse at Mankessim". Modern Ghana. Archived from the original on 2022-10-01. Retrieved 2022-10-05.
3. "Mankessim: Chief in murder case is alive and behind bars - Police - MyJoyOnline.com". www.myjoyonline.com. 2022-09-24. Archived from the original on 2022-09-28. Retrieved 2022-10-06.
4. "Mfantsiman MP condemns murder of trainee nurse". GhanaWeb. 2022-09-22. Archived from the original on 2022-10-06. Retrieved 2022-10-05.
5. "Mankessim murder: Residents rain curses on two accused at the court". GhanaWeb. 2022-10-05. Archived from the original on 2022-10-06. Retrieved 2022-10-05.
6. "Mankessim murder: Judge shuts down accused for attempting to make case for colleague". GhanaWeb. 2022-10-04. Retrieved 2022-10-05.
7. "Suspects in Mankessim murder case remanded". GhanaWeb. 2022-09-22. Archived from the original on 2022-10-06. Retrieved 2022-10-05.
8. "Court remands chief, pastor into police custody over murder of lady in Mankessim - MyJoyOnline.com". www.myjoyonline.com. 2022-09-22. Archived from the original on 2022-10-02. Retrieved 2022-10-05.
9. Online, Peace FM. "Mankessim Murder: Mfantsiman MP Calls For Calm, Commends Police". Peacefmonline.com - Ghana news. Retrieved 2022-10-05.
10. "Main suspect in death of woman buried in apartment at Mankessim arrested". Citinewsroom - Comprehensive News in Ghana. 2022-09-21. Archived from the original on 2022-09-30. Retrieved 2022-10-06.
11. "Mankessim murder: We could even die for him – Assemblyman on how residents respected prime suspect". GhanaWeb. 2022-09-22. Archived from the original on 2022-10-06. Retrieved 2022-10-06.
12. "Police refutes reports suspect in Mankessim killing has died". Citinewsroom - Comprehensive News in Ghana. 2022-09-25. Archived from the original on 2022-10-01. Retrieved 2022-10-06.
13. "Mankessim murder: Court adjourns case to allow police more time to investigate - MyJoyOnline.com". www.myjoyonline.com. 2022-10-04. Archived from the original on 2022-10-04. Retrieved 2022-10-05.
14. Online, Peace FM. "Mankessim Murder Case: Police Grab Grave Digger". Peacefmonline.com - Ghana news. Archived from the original on 2022-10-05. Retrieved 2022-10-05.
15. "Mankessim Murder: How suspect's wife sparked death rumours after Chief went into coma". GhanaWeb. 2022-09-26. Archived from the original on 2022-10-06. Retrieved 2022-10-06.
16. "Suspects in Mankessim murder case killed a trader too – Police". Graphic Online. Archived from the original on 2022-10-04. Retrieved 2022-10-06.
17. "Mankessim murder: Accused persons allegedly confess to killing 2 more people - MyJoyOnline.com". www.myjoyonline.com. 2022-09-30. Archived from the original on 2022-10-03. Retrieved 2022-10-05.
18. Tornyi, Emmanuel (2022-09-30). "Mankessim murder: Chief and pastor confess to killing 3 more people". Pulse Ghana. Archived from the original on 2022-10-05. Retrieved 2022-10-06.
19. "Mankessim murder: We only killed three people — Accused persons allegedly confess". Modern Ghana. Archived from the original on 2022-09-30. Retrieved 2022-10-06.