Fear grips farmers following spate of murders at Anum

Anum (E/R), July 6, GNA- Fear has gripped a section of the Anum community in the Asuogyaman district, especially farmers following the shooting of Mr Andrew Kwadwo Essah, a 58-year-old ex-serviceman on his farm on May 20, this year.

Mr Essah, a popular newspaper vendor and farmer was the fifth victim of such gruesome murders that had occurred on farms in recent times. Opanin Kwame Acheampong, a family spokesman told the Ghana News Agency at Anum on Sunday that an autopsy report showed that the latest victim was shot from behind and 35 pellets were removed from the body.

He said, "what makes the situation more disturbing is that, up till now, no one had been arrested in connection with any of the five murders that were committed in similar fashion. Opanin Acheampong has therefore appealed to the Inspector General of Police (IGP) to help arrest and bring to justice perpetrators of those murderous acts.

He also called on the chiefs and elders of the town to take measures to curb the situation, since anybody could be the next victim and urged the people to volunteer information that could lead to the arrest of the criminals.

Narrating the incident, he said on that fateful day, the victim went alone to tap palm wine, because his labourer did not turn up early. The labourer later found the bullet-riddled body of the victim in a ticket after a search and informed the police who conveyed it to the Peki Government Hospital.

It was later transferred to the 37 Military Hospital in Accra. The late Essah has since been buried.