Man in police custody for attempting to sell own son

Bibiani (Western Region) -- A 32-year-old car sprayer who attempted to sell his five-year-old son for 14 million cedis has been arrested by Bibiani police. Michael McCarthy is said to have offered the boy for sale to detectives who arrested and placed him in custody, Ghana Review has learnt.

Briefing the press at Bibiani on Friday, Police Superintendent Alhaji A.M. Sumaila, Bibiani-Anhwiaso-Bekwai District Police Commander, said sometime in June this year, police had information that McCarthy was offering his son for sale and was therefore looking for prospective buyers.

He said detectives were detailed to Sefwi-Bekwai to feign interest in buying the boy and while the detectives were waiting in the informant's room, McCarthy arrived with his son.

He then started bargaining with them during which he was arrested. According to the Police Commander, Madam Abena Nyanta, the divorced wife of McCarthy, later informed the police that her ex-husband came to her house at about 10.15 a.m. on Wednesday and took away the child under the pretext of buying him a school uniform.

Superintendent Sumaila said when McCarthy was searched after his arrest, a match box containing wrappers of dried leaves suspected to be Indian hemp was found on him. He would be arraigned before court after investigations.