US Declares Upper West No Go Area

The United States Embassy in Accra has waded into the latest brouhaha involving two Peace Corps Volunteers in the Upper West Region in which an alleged armed robber died.

According to an ‘Unclassified Email’ cited by Citifmonline.com, the US Embassy said, “In order to ensure the safety and well-being of all Peace Corps Volunteers, they have been removed from the Upper West Region until further notice.”

“All U.S. citizens in the Upper West Region should exercise caution and defer unnecessary travel in or to the area,” it further stated.

Two Peace Corps Ghana volunteers were the victims of a crime in the early hours of Saturday in Wa, the Upper West Regional capital.

Andrew Kistler allegedly stabbed a suspected armed robber, 22-year-old Eliasu Najat (aka Ninja), killing him instantly during a scuffle with him at Dobile Junction at Wa.

Andrew has been granted police enquiry bail. Ninja met his death when he allegedly attempted to rob the Peace Corps volunteers at about 2:45pm.

The suspected robber, who was in the company of a colleague, attempted to rob Mr. Kistler and Rachel Ricciardi, who were on their way to their house at Dobile, a suburb of Wa.

The Peace Corps Volunteers “voluntarily reported the incident to the local authorities” and they were released after an interview session with the police.

They have not been charged with any crime. The matter is currently under investigation by the police.

The email advised US citizens: “If you live in or travel to Ghana, please take the time to tell us about your trip by enrolling in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP – https://step.state.gov).

If you enroll, we can keep you informed of important safety and security announcements.

“It will also help your friends and family to contact you in an emergency. You should remember to keep all of your information in STEP up to date.

It is important during enrollment or updating of information to include your current phone number and current email address where you can be reached in case of an emergency,” it said.

Mr Ampofu Duku, Deputy Upper West Regional Police Commander, confirmed the story to the GNA in Wa.

He said that the deceased and his colleague approached the Peace Corps volunteers and ordered them to hand over their bags but the volunteers refused.

Mr Duku said the deceased pulled a knife and a struggle ensued between Mr. Kistler and the deceased in which the volunteer sustained injuries.

The Regional Police Commander said sensing danger, Mr. Kistler also pulled a knife from his pocket and engaged the deceased in a fight, and subsequently overpowered Ninja, resulting in his death.

ACP Duku said the deceased’s accomplice, who was also struggling with the female volunteer, took to his heels after the deceased was overpowered.

The body of Ninja has been deposited at the Upper West Regional Hospital mortuary pending autopsy.