A 13-year-old girl narrowly escaped an alleged ritual killing after being abducted by four unidentified men on Friday at Aburi-Kitase in the Akuapem South Municipality of the Eastern Region.

The teenager, who lives near the residence of former President John Agyekum Kufuor, went missing around 8 pm while heading to buy food in Kitase.

According to Citi News sources, the abductors had bound the girl’s hands and legs and were reportedly preparing to harm her by slashing her breast. However, they fled the scene when a good Samaritan fired warning shots upon discovering their activities.

Speaking to Citi News, the Assembly Member for the Kitase Electoral Area, Frank Amankwah, confirmed the incident and linked the growing insecurity in the area to the malfunctioning streetlights along the Ayi Mensah to Peduase Lodge stretch.

Amankwah called on the Inspector General of Police to bolster security in the area and address the rising prevalence of social vices near the Peduase Presidential Lodge.

“I have made several complaints about these traffic issues. From Ayi Mensah to Peduase Lodge, the street lights situated there are all not functioning. Boys from Ashiaman, Madina, Nungua, and nearby towns all come here, so if something like this happens, we cannot identify the source of it.

“So, I am pleading for adequate security in the area. It is very unfortunate how loose the security is in Peduase Lodge. I plead with the IGP and all the security apparatus to come to our aid.” he urged.

By Christopher Tetteh

Sunyani, (Bono), Jan. 12, GNA – The Local Government Service Association of Physical Planners (LoGSAPP) has called for expeditious investigations into recurring cases of market fires in the country. 
 
A statement issued and signed by Mrs Gifty Nyarko, the Interim National President of the Association and copied to the Ghana News Agency (GNA) in Sunyani described the fires as disturbing, saying the causes ought to be determined and tackled. 
 
“There is therefore a critical need for swift investigations to ascertain the causes of the fires, especially the recent outbreak at the Kantamanto Market”, it stated. 
 
 The statement advocated strict regulations and enforcement of fire safety measures and standards, including adherence to building codes and regulations during the design, construction and maintenance of markets and other public spaces. 
 
“The fire incidents are tragic and cause serious economic hardship to the victims and their immediate families”, it stated, calling for holistic assessment and in-depth investigations. 
 
“These situations disrupt the local economy, cause financial losses and deeply saddened and destroy vital commercial space that provides means of income and sustenance for many,” it added. 
 
The statement sympathised with the victims and their families, saying as urban planners, “we understand the critical importance of ensuring that markets are safely managed, properly structured and capable of withstanding emergencies”. 
 
It urged relevant institutions, agencies and stakeholders to prioritize fire safety improvements at market places, and underlined the need for enhancing safety infrastructure, calling for the mounting of modern fire detector alarms and hydrants at strategic market locations. 
 
The provision of regular fire safety training for traders and market women in addressing emergencies, fire prevention and fighting is also necessary. 
 
It also called for regular inspections of electrical wiring systems to tackle the problem of short circuits and overloads in markets and other public places and gatherings. 
GNA