An elderly woman, Ayoo Adakabla, in her 70s from the Zorkor Ayone community in the Bongo District of the Upper East Region, is currently unconscious and bedridden at the Bongo District Hospital after being brutally attacked by her own family relatives. Apexnewsgh reports
According to her son, Atanga Adakabla, who spoke to Apexnewsgh, the incident occurred on Monday, April 29, 2024, between 9 and 10 am. Atanga’s stepbrother, Akurugu, called him to accuse their aged mother of bewitching him and attempting to kill him. Akurugu demanded that they be taken to the Gambaga witches camp for examination.
Atanga refused to comply with the demand, insisting that he needed to inform his siblings and other important relatives before making any decisions. However, Akurugu refused to involve other family members and instead forcibly hired a car to take Atanga and his mother to Gambaga. Atanga resisted, and in the ensuing scuffle, his mother was severely beaten and wounded.
Atanga and his brother rushed their mother to the Bongo District Hospital, where she remains unconscious and bedridden. The incident has left the family and community in shock, highlighting the ongoing issue of witchcraft accusations and violence against the elderly in the region.
Meanwhile, Investigations by ApexnewsGh have uncovered that this is not the first time Akurugu has attempted to harm her.
Two years ago, Akurugu forcefully took Madam Ayoo to Gambaga for consultation, claiming she was a witch. Fortunately, after examination, nothing was found against her. However, instead of returning home with her, Akurugu abandoned her in Gambaga.
Madam Ayoo’s son, Atanga, revealed that he had to borrow money from friends in Accra to secure his mother’s release and return her to their village in Zorkor Community. This previous incident suggests a history of abuse and neglect by Akurugu, which has culminated in the recent violent attack on Madam Ayoo.
A family relative of the elderly woman, Ayishetu Mutala, has spoken out against the witchcraft accusation and brutality meted out against Madam Ayoo Adakabla. Expressing deep dissatisfaction and concern, Ayishetu is calling on the media to intervene in the matter, acknowledging that the family alone cannot fight this battle.
“How do you know someone is a witch if you are not one?” Ayishetu posed a thought-provoking question, highlighting the absurdity of such accusations. She further explained that these incidents often occur when family members realize that there is no one else to blame for their misfortunes.
Ayishetu’s plea for media intervention is a desperate cry for help, as the family seeks justice and protection for their loved one. The media’s attention to this matter can help shed light on the ongoing issue of witchcraft accusations and mob violence, and hopefully, bring an end to this senseless suffering.
The case highlights the ongoing issue of witchcraft accusations and violence against the elderly in the region, and calls for urgent attention and action from authorities to protect vulnerable individuals like Madam Ayoo.
Witchcraft accusations and the subsequent lynching of elderly men and women have become an alarming trend in the northern regions of Ghana. In 2023, Ngamegbulam Chidozie Stephen of ApexnewsGh, with the support of Minority Right Group International and MPEC, produced a documentary feature to raise awareness about this critical issue.
The documentary brought together a diverse group of stakeholders, including traditional rulers, chiefs, fetish priests and priestesses, prophets, soothsayers, security experts, legal professionals, queen mothers, and most importantly, victims and families of those who have been lynched. The feature aimed to shed light on the root causes of witchcraft accusations and the devastating consequences of mob violence.
Through this documentary, the voices of those affected by witchcraft accusations were amplified, and the urgent need for action to address this issue was highlighted. The partnership between Apexnewsgh.com, Minority Right Group International, and MPEC demonstrates a commitment to tackling this complex problem and promoting the rights and dignity of all individuals, particularly the elderly, in Ghana’s northern regions.
However, Akurugu and 3 suspects are currently in the custody of Bongo District Police as investigation into the matter continues.
Source: Apexnewsgh.com
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