Accra (Greater Accra), 1 Dec '98 - Property estimated at millions of cedis was destroyed and an unspecified amount of money missing, when a mob at Mataheko vandalised and burnt down a restaurant, belonging to Mrs Doris Smith- Brown, a Liberian living in the United States.
The mob action followed the discovery of the body of Madam Adwoa Kyeraa, a 45 year old Ghanaian, who was suspected to have been murdered for ritual purposes last Friday, November 27.
Some residents say Madam Kyeraa's death brings to 16 such suspected ritual murders involving mainly women, which incensed the mob, numbering several hundreds to attack and burn down the C and D restaurant. The seven Liberians have fled the area since the attack and are believed to be in Buduburam refugee camp. Other workers at the restaurant say items destroyed or stolen during the incident included a generator, a TV set, video deck, three sound systems, four loud speakers and three refrigerators. Others are a 'Bubra' machine, 50 crates of minerals and alcoholic beverages, ceiling fans, plastic chairs, tables, passports and 1.5 million cedis worth of door and window frames belonging to Mr Emmanuel O. Anang, owner of the land on which the restaurant is located. Mr Anang today told newsmen, who visited the scene that on June 20, 1996, he leased a portion of the land out to Mrs Smith-Brown for 10 years for the purpose of a restaurant to serve both Liberians and the Ghanaians. "For the past two years that they have been here, I have had no cause to suspect them of any dubious activities but this is the second time a mob has attacked them on grounds of indecent and dubious activities. "The first was about four months ago when thugs from Nima, led by some residents of Mataheko, stormed the restaurant and beat the foreigners up for no apparent reason," he said, adding that the Bureau of National Investigations (BNI) staff from the Castle once came to the restaurant following allegations that the people were involved in cocaine business." Mr Anang, whose uncompleted building on the land was nearly demolished by the mob, appealed to the Police to expedite action to ensure law and order in the area. The Police have so far not arrested anybody in connection with the alleged murders or for the burning down of the restaurant. A Ghanaian, Joe Dadzie, from Cape Coast, who worked at the restaurant with other Ghanaians, has not been seen since the incident, his co-workers who wanted to remain anonymous told GRi. "His family members came from Cape Coast to look for him but he was nowhere to be found." The workers debunked allegations that the restaurant was exclusively for Liberians and Ghanaian women. "We prepare both Ghanaian and Liberian dishes and all class of local people patronise our meals." They added that the Liberians also use the restaurant for morning devotion "and they go to church at Mataheko branches of the Lighthouse Chapel and the Four Square Gospel Church." At the scene, clothes belonging to the Liberians were found scattered on the floor, the taps in the restaurant were broken and water was flowing into the gutters. A Police spokesman said there has been no further development since Friday and peace has returned to the area.
