Three pupils, contractor, in mystery death

Apam Junction, July 12, GNA - Three pupils of the Gomoa Akwakrom Methodist Primary School and a contractor who undertook the construction of a new block of classrooms for the school died one after the other on four consecutive Wednesdays, after the pupils had moved into the new block.

The project was funded by the Gomoa District Assembly at Akwakrom near Apam Junction in the Central Region.

Briefing the Ghana News Agency in his office, Mr Joseph K Barnes, Headteacher of the school, said the children moved from a dilapidated block of classrooms into the new one this year, but paradoxically instead of enjoying their enhanced status the school lost three pupils in June this year, alongside the contractor who undertook the project in very mysterious circumstances.

The Headteacher stated that on Wednesday, June 7, a five-year-old kindergarten pupil died. A week later, June 14, Gifty Keitoo a primary five pupil, also died.

He stated further that on Wednesday, June 21, the contractor, Mr Dake Ewusie from Gomoa Adzentem died, while the third, Patience Esaah a primary four pupil died a week later.

Mr Barnes explained that Wednesdays, were "taboo days" in the community, and that the inhabitants were forbidden from going to their farms.

He said the parents of Esaah, one of the victim's consulted an oracle, which according to the Headteacher, claimed that a deity was responsible for the deaths.

Mr Barnes said the oracle was said to have directed that all the children should be stripped naked and washed in a special concoction which he refused, saying instead, the school's Parent Teacher Association (PTA) invited a Pastor of the 12th Apostles Church, Brofeyedur to perform prayers in the school.

Meanwhile, many parents have withdrawn their children from the school with total attendance recorded at the school on Wednesday from primary one through six falling from a total 215 pupils to 68. Mrs Emma Baaba Quarcoo, District Director of Education, confirmed the story.