Efutuakwa Traditional Council orders spiritual purification, threatens market closure over alleged defilement of minor

The Efutuakwa Traditional Council in Assin Fosu has threatened to shut down the local market if market leaders do not cooperate with a spiritual purification process following allegations of sexual assault involving a minor. The alleged victim, who is between 14 and 17 years old, is currently seven months pregnant. It is claimed that her father, along with another individual named Joe, had been exploiting her sexually on the market grounds.

The father is currently in police custody on charges of incest, but he denies any wrongdoing. Joe was initially arrested on defilement charges but was later released after the girl revealed she was 17 years old, contradicting earlier reports stating she was 14. Traditional leaders are treating this incident as a serious spiritual transgression, believing that the local deity, River Onwer, has appeared to market leaders.

They warn that failing to comply with the ritual process could result in severe spiritual consequences for the community, including the market's closure. The traditional council has summoned market officials, the young girl, and the watchman to meet at the Okumanini Palace in Assin Fosu to decide on the next steps for both the legal matter and the cleansing rituals required for the market.