Daily Graphic

"Girl Fifteen Tortured to Death?" is the horrifying lead story in today's Graphic.

The Homicide Unit of the Ghana Police Service, the Graphic reports, is investigating the circumstances that led to the death of a 15-year old JSS student of the Osu Presby Girls Junior Secondary School in Accra.

Carmen Joe, also known as Maame Oye, was allegedly forced to undergo 150 frog leaps for not wearing a pair of socks to school two weeks ago. She died eight days later.

The story has it that Carmen, who was punished together with seven other girls, complained she was dizzy and general body weakness and fell down several times during the ordeal. The teacher, Mr. Isaac Obeng, who meted out the punishment, is alleged to have directed the other girls to help the deceased to her feet each time she fell until she finished the 150 leaps.

The next day, Carmen who lived with her aunt was reportedly too weak to perform any household chore. She however, had to go to school as examinations were in session. The story continues that she collapsed and was taken to her Grandmother's house later in the day. Carmen's grandmother Madam Felicia Ashrifie told the Graphic that she applied some 'Rub' ointment on Carmen's thighs immediately she was brought to her.

"When her condition got worse the following day, I took her to the Swan Clinic where she was admitted and later referred to the Ridge Hospital where she was on admission until she died on the 19th of March at 2.30 am" grand mother Ashrifie said.

The paper says a sobbing Madam Ashrifie said when Carmen was on admission at the hospital, her Aunt and other family members went to the school authorities asking to meet with the teacher who had meted out the punishment.

When this request was refused, she reported to the CID headquarters. Carmen's body is at the Ridge Morgue awaiting an autopsy whose result Police hope will enhance their investigations.

The President, Flt Lt J.J Rawlings has commended Ghanaians in France for leading clean decent lives reports the Graphic.

The President claimed that his intelligence had informed him that there is a concerted effort by the Ghanaian community to encourage its members to desist from engaging in acts of drug trafficking and prostitution. President Rawlings who made the recommendation during an interaction with the Ghanaian community in Paris at Hotel de Crillion, was full of praise for them for their continued show of integrity in the day-to day activities in France.

Answering questions, President Rawlings is said to have stated that he will always be driven by what is good for Ghana, to act in truth to God and his conscience. He is said to have urged Ghanaians to defend what they believe in, in answer to a shouted question: " how will you maintain the level of development after you leave office?"

The report filed from France by a Graphic reporter says the discussion touched on a variety of issues including the development in communications infrastructure, Parliament, Education, the Economy, and the Private sector.