Nana Addo finally speaks on kidnappings in Ghana

President Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has broken his silence on the phenomenon of kidnappings in the country with a promise to deal with the canker.

Speaking to members of the Ghana Anti-Corruption Coalition (GACC) at the Jubilee House on Monday, the President mentioned that his government will not relent on its efforts to tackle the situation.

He said: “We are all concerned about this phenomenon of kidnappings which we have not known. Our brothers and sisters in Nigeria have known it. But we have not known it in this country and we need to do something about it to make sure that it doesn’t become a feature of our society.

“I am very, very determined on the issue and decisions are being taken as we seek what will be a clear manifestation of the determination I have to deal with this matter.”

Background

There are fears among a section of the Ghanaian public that kidnapping cases are on the ascendency.

Last week, 30-year-old Indian businessman was abducted by gunmen in Kumasi, the Ashanti Region capital.

Umpakan Chodri was eventually rescued after kidnappers released him.

Before Umpakan’s abduction, police had foiled a kidnap-for-ransom incident involving a diplomat.

Sixty-one-year-old Nabil Makram Basbous, the Consular-General and Head of Mission of Estonia to Ghana was also kidnapped during his regular morning walk in his neighbourhood in Accra.

Basbous was abducted by three gunmen suspected to be Nigerians.

The ambassador was held hostage in an unknown location until he was rescued by the Police.

Police are currently under pressure to rescue some three girls who were kidnapped in Takoradi, the Western Region.

Meanwhile, three girls remain missing after they were reported kidnapped in Takoradi, the Western Region capital.

Ruth Quayson, Priscilla Blessing Bentum and Priscilla Koranchie were reported kidnapped between August 2018 and January 2019.

The main suspect in the kidnapping case, Sam Udoetuk Wills, has been jailed 18 months for breaking cells.