Nkotompo Residents Panic as Group Allegedly Performs Ritual at Sea

• Tension has erupted in Nkotompo after a group allegedly performed a sea ritual involving a suspected body
• Residents confronted the group, dressed in symbolic white and yellow robes, over fears of 'sakawa' practices
• The group, now in police custody, allegedly claimed that the act was a spiritual rite for their deceased member

Tension has escalated in Nkotompo, a fishing community in Sekondi-Takoradi, amid suspicions surrounding a group of young men allegedly involved in 'sakawa' rituals.

In the early hours of Saturday morning, around 10 individuals were reportedly seen in vehicles and were claimed to have dropped a corpse wrapped in a sack into the sea.

Eyewitnesses said they observed them carrying a suspicious object, which sparked outrage among local residents.

“We saw these men drive in and bring something wrapped in a sack from their vehicle to the beach. We suspect it’s a human body,” one resident commented.

Residents expressed their anger, insisting that the group should not be allowed to leave until the object was removed.

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One local questioned their motives, asking why they chose to drop the sack in their community.

The group, dressed in white attire with mystical symbols and draped in yellow robe, included a female member.

Nkotompo residents claim group performed 'sakawa'

Their unusual appearance heightened community suspicion, prompting intervention from local leaders.

Frederick Acheampong, the assembly member for Nkotompo, confirmed the growing tension and the residents' demands.

“We are working to calm the community. I've called on the chief for assistance,” Acheampong stated.

The group's leader, identified as Lord Ackam, denied the 'sakawa' allegations, claiming they are a spiritual society.

“We are known as the Spiritual Scientists. One of our members has passed away, and our rituals require us to drop his belongings in the sea.”

Other members supported his statement, clarifying that they only discarded symbolic items related to the deceased.

Traditional authorities intervened at the chief’s palace to help de-escalate the situation. The group has since been handed over to the police.

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The authorities visited the community after a call was made by the assembly member to calm tensions. The group members were later sent to the police station to initiate investigations.

Speaking with YEN.com.gh, the assembly member, Acheampong, noted that a diver was tasked to swim to retrieve the said belongings of the deceased.

He added that the community spiritual leader performed some rituals to avert the repercussions of what the group had come to do by the sea.

The police are yet to share the outcome of their engagement with the group.

Pastor allegedly inflicting spiritual illness on lady

Meanwhile, YEN.com.gh also reported that a man of God known as Apostle Avete had accused his fellow preacher, Apostle Ashiabi, of causing his daughter's illness through a bizarre ritual.

The man of God denied the allegation, claiming he had learned the practice from a TV programme. His colleague described the ritual as 'pure voodooism' and was surprised the girl survived.

Proofreading by Bruce Douglas, copy editor at YEN.com.gh.

Source: YEN.com.gh