The Techiman Police have arrested Mr. Kwadwo Adjei, the Chairman of the Techiman Youth Association, for allegedly damaging the properties of several individuals who are accused of being fake mallams and fetish priests in the town.
Adjei had led a demonstration against these spiritualists in Techiman, located in the Brong-Ahafo Region, claiming they were swindling unsuspecting residents. The demonstrators argued that these fraudulent activities were harming the town’s reputation.
Chief Inspector Augustine Kingsley Oppong, the Brong-Ahafo Police Public Relations Officer, confirmed the incident when contacted in Sunyani. He explained that Adjei was in the custody of the Sunyani Municipal Police. According to Oppong, the youth of Techiman had sought and received permission from the Police to hold a peaceful protest against the alleged fraudulent mallams and fetish priests, accusing them of deceiving the public by promising to double their money and cast spells on their enemies.
The Techiman Police had authorized the demonstration, setting specific routes for the protest and warning the organizers that they would be held accountable for any damage or violence. However, after the demonstration on March 18, some of the accused spiritualists, including one Nana Moshi and three other mallams and fetish priests, reported to the police that their properties had been burned and destroyed by the protesters.
Chief Inspector Oppong stated that Adjei, suspected of leading the group, was arrested to assist with the investigation. In response, an angry crowd of youth gathered at the Techiman Police station, demanding Adjei’s release, while supporters of the victims also called for him to be handed over to them for “instant justice.”
Fearing the situation might escalate, the police transferred Adjei to the Sunyani Municipal Police Station for his safety and to continue the investigation into the charges of property damage and threats to life against him.
