Be careful in Ghana – Canadian gov't warns citizens

The Canadian government has warned its citizens of potential crimes in Ghana following the kidnapping of two Canadians in Kumasi, the capital of the Ashanti Region.

The Canadian government said on its website that: “Violent crimes, including armed robbery and kidnapping, may occur. Be aware of your surroundings and avoid walking alone or displaying signs of wealth. Ensure that windows and doors in your residence are secured,” the Canadian it says on its website.

The two women were kidnapped at the Kumasi Royal Gulf Club in Ahodwo around 8:25 p.m. on 4 June 2019, according to the Ghana Police Service.

The 19-year-old and 20-year-old ladies are volunteers with an NGO known as Youth Challenge International based in Ghana.

An Uber driver who came into contact with the girls shortly before they went missing has been assisting the police with investigations.

A press statement issued by the Director-General of the Public Affairs unit of the Ghana Police Service, ACP David Eklu cautioned journalists and the media to be circumspect in their reportage and asked the public to volunteer any relevant information via toll-free line 18555 or 191 (all networks) or 0299202240.

The police said any information can also be sent to any of its official social media handles or presented directly to the Public Affairs Officer of the Ashanti Regional Police Command, ASP Godwin Ahianyo on 0244288019.

In April this year, an Indian was also kidnapped in the Ashanti Region and later rescued.

Mr Om-Parkash Chudry was kidnapped on Thursday, 25 April 2019 by unidentified gunmen.

The kidnappers, numbering about three, assaulted him and pushed him into a car and sped off.

Mr Chudry, however, struggled with the kidnappers, overpowered them and took refuge at a nearby house and later called the police, who subsequently rescued him in the early hours of Friday, 26 April 2019. Currently, three Ghanaian girls who were also kidnapped since August last year in Ghana’s oil-rich city of Takoradi have still not been found.

The Director-General of the Criminal Investigations Department of the Ghana Police Service, COP Maame Yaa Tiwaa Addo-Danquah told journalists at a press conference a couple of months ago that the whereabouts of the girls was known and the security agencies were working toward rescuing them.

She later made a U-turn with those comments claiming she only made them “to give hope to the police” as far as working to trace the girls was concerned.