Economic hardship compelled me to sell 'wee' – Crippled man weeps in jail

A crippled man who has been sentenced to a 10-year jail term for selling Indian hemp has explained the rational for his actions.

Kwesi Appiah who has served just three out of the ten years said economic hardships and inability to fend for himself and cater for the family made him accept the offer to sell the drug

Kwesi Appiah said, he knew it was wrong to sell wee but due to the economic hardship and his condition as a cripple, he had no option but to engage in the trade for his survival and that of his family.

“I didn’t have a helper because I am an orphan. I didn’t want to roam the streets begging so I started helping at a chop bar but we were robbed around Kumasi on our way to purchase foodstuff for the bar. After that incident we were left with nothing,” he recounted in an interview with Crime Check Foundation during their visit to the Kumasi.

After that incident, he had to struggle every day for food and so, he said, “When a friend offered me to sell wee, I couldn’t resist the offer. Even though I was afraid of been arrested, I couldn’t stop selling and was later caught and jailed.”

Kwesi Appiah says he regrets his actions and pleads for his punishment to be reduced.

He noted that his absence has greatly affected his family in many ways as they struggle to make ends meet.

According to him, his children have dropped out of school because they have no one to help them further their education.

“Due to my condition, my eldest child who has completed junior high school had to give up on continuing because there’s no one to support her financially,” he laments.



These remarks were made when a Non Governmental Organisation visited the prison to interact with prisoners.

The Executive Director of Crime Check Foundation (CCF), Ibrahim Oppong Kwarteng is crying out to individuals and groups to support the suffering wife and children of the prisoner.

He also called on government to have mercy, reconsider the sentence and reduce the jail term of the physically challenged man since he has exhibited remorse for his crime.

“Any Ghanaian who can also help our brother to appeal his sentence can also contact the following numbers; 0242074276, 0558295335,” Mr. Kwarteng begs.