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Takoradi: Fake kidnapping?

The ‘oil city’ of Takoradi is now said to be buzzing with a queer sound; kidnapping ! kidnapping !! kidnapping !!!

It is said that in some parts of Takoradi too some young men have started questioning any pregnant young lady they meet; whether the ‘bump’ is a ‘kidnap bump’, a ‘silicon bump’ or a ‘natural bump’.

Some of the young men, it is said, even attempt to touch such protruding bellies, while cracking all sorts of ‘expensive’ jokes to the embarrassment of young pregnant ladies in some parts of the ‘oil city’.

Kidnapping in Takoradi? Anyway, what is kidnapping at all?

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According to Wikipedia, kidnapping is a criminal offence, consisting of unlawful taking and carrying away of a person by force or fraud; or the unlawful seizure and detention of a person against his will.

In all countries, kidnapping is considered a grave offence, punishable by a long prison sentence or death.

Wikipedia says, kidnapping was originally used as a term for the practice of stealing children for use as servants or labourers in the American colonies.

And currently, for instance, can a father kidnap his own child? Surprisingly, the answer is yes. You can be guilty of kidnapping your own child. If one parent decides to take the child physically away without the permission of the court or the other parent, you can be arrested and charged .

According to Wikipedia, corruption, unemployment, indiscipline, poverty,  loss of societal values, inadequate security and get-rich-quick syndrome are some of the causes of kidnapping.

Kidnap and hostage survivors can experience stress reactions including denial, impaired memory, shock, numbness, anxiety, guilt, depression, anger and a sense of hopelessness.

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And what is fake kidnapping? It is kidnapping that has been staged by the ‘victim’ who claims to have been abducted.

And what is ‘branding’ Takoradi now as ‘kidnapping city’?

28-year-old Josephine Panyin Mensah Simons was said to have left her home in Takoradi in the early morning of Thursday, September 16, 2021, on the pretext of going for jogging.

She was later reported missing, so someone allegedly called her family to demand a ransom before her release because had been kidnapped.

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Her husband allegedly reported the matter to the police, which began a search for Josephine Simons, who was said to be nine months pregnant.

After ‘discovering’ her, police investigators and health experts discounted her kidnap and pregnancy stories, leading to her arraignment before the Takoradi Circuit Court on September 28, 2021.

Josephine was charged; for deceiving a public officer and publication of false news with the intent to cause fear and panic.

The court presided over by Mr. Michael Ampadu, granted her bail in the sum of GHc 50,000, with two sureties to be justified.

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Prosecuting, Superintendent Emmanuel Basintale, told the court that the phone number used by the supposed kidnappers was registered in the name of the accused person.

Superintendent Basintale said, the prosthetics Josephine wore to pretend that she was pregnant was bought at the Takoradi Market Circle at the cost of GHc 30.

Really, the ‘icing on the cake’ of Josephine’s fake kidnapping was her fake pregnancy. And the fake pregnancy, because it was the ‘icing on the cake’ of the fake kidnapping, elicited a huge emotional national rescue support for her.

Professor Joseph Osafo, a psychologist, however, says Josephine rather needs psychological examination instead of prosecution.

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Speaking on Peace FM’s Kokrokoo, Professor Osafo stressed: “Josephine needs a lot of attention now. We need to listen to Josephine because for all you know, a lot of women are also experiencing such issues.

“What is going on between the woman and her husband? How has the husband’s family been treating her? “

But Mr Maurice Ampaw, an Accra-based lawyer, rather says Josephine has caused economic loss to the state.

According to lawyer Ampaw, the prosecution should add “causing financial loss to the state “, to the two other charges against her.

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“Her conduct has affected our drive to convince investors into the Western Region,” Mr  Ampaw says.

Lawyer Ampaw says: ” The President is outside the country, convincing investors to come to Ghana and look at what she has done , sending a false signal to create the impression that there is insecurity in the Western Region.”

Readers, what is your own view about the fake kidnapping in the ‘oil city’?

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The Prophet part 2

Some young men queing for visas
Some young men queing for visas

“I can see in the spirit, that some of you have been trading for years without seeing any mean­ingful profits, some young women have been disappointed by men who have either abandoned them and left for foreign lands and forgotten about them, or stopped sending money for the upkeep of their wives and children.

I can see young men who are desperate for visas to travel abroad but have either been duped by visa contractors or refused at the embas­sies. From tomorrow, I assure you, the visas will be given.

Young women, I have news for you. You will receive telephone calls, and you will hear very good news. Handsome young men with money in their pockets will come and marry you, and take care of you. Traders, you will get big business and big profits from today. From today, you will see that I am a true prophet who has come to deliver you.”

Shouts of “Amen,” “thank you Prophet” and “I receive it” greeted his sermon. After a final prayer, he asked the congregation to come early the following day, and bring others, because there would be many testimonies.

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There would also be “special anointing” for great miracles. Although he did not ask for an offering, most of the people came and dropped notes, and coins at the “pulpit.” When they left, Antobam counted the money.

“GH¢900!” he almost shouted, ‘and I did not even ask for an offer­ing. This is fantabulous!’ Going to the Nana Kofi Broni shrine, he told himself, was a very wise move.

He started making plans……He had to choose a few assistants who would carry out his orders……. He had to hire some chairs as soon as possible……He had to find a suit­able piece of land and, if possible, build his own church……. He had to start looking for a nice car, befitting the status of a popular preacher …… And, most importantly, he had to select two, three or four nice, young women to take care of his needs, apart from the servants who would cook, wash, iron and do other errands for him.

Abruptly, he told himself, this hungry, scruffy Kukurantumi boy was being transformed into a man of power and money, with some of the most beautiful women in town at his beck and call. Wow!

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After a shower and supper, he shut the door to the very small room that served as his bedroom and dropped on the bed. Almost immediately, the shrill sounds, like whispers, began.

This time he did not express any fears. He realised to his great sur­prise that even though the sounds were not in the form of any lan­guage, he could understand them.

Tomorrow there will be testimo­nies……they will give money……. some rich people are being prepared …….they will bring big money ………. we will give them what they want, and they will bring money ……. big money …….big, big money……the women will also come, a number of them. ‘

He went to sleep smiling and whis­pering to himself, ‘big, big money, and women!’

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He woke up at 5 and took a shower. After a breakfast of tea and several slices of bread he set off. On reaching the venue he saw to his great surprise that the place was full.

Very full, and quite a number of people rushed to embrace him and give him the wonderful news. The excited people narrated the testi­monies about big sales, telephone calls from relatives directing them to go to Western Union, and impo­tent husbands who had miraculously rediscovered their magic powers.

He was truly glad that Nana Kofi Broni’s magic had already started working, but most of his attention was focused on the ladies in the congregation. He noticed to his great delight that some of them were really nice. I must start mak­ing my selection, he told himself. Today!

“Give a mighty clap offering to the great, mighty one for his won­ders among us!” he started, and the response was very big.

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“I said yesterday that you were going to see signs and wonders, and I am very happy that my word has been fulfilled. Even though we have taken allowed one hour for testimo­nies, many more of you would like to testify.

Tomorrow, I promise you that there will be ample time. I will only preach a short sermon. The rest of the time will be taken up by consul­tations, after which I will give direc­tions on what to do to ensure that you defeat your enemies, secure your marriage and, most important­ly, continue increasing your profits in your business.” His sermon was interspersed with ecstatic shouts of “Amen,” “it is true,” “God bless you” and “I receive it.”

His final word was emphatic; “Big miracles are coming your way. Keep attending church, and don’t forget to give thanks to God.”

By Ekow de Heer

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Full Gospel Businessmen Fellowship launches project to transform young lives

• Members of the Full Gospel Businness Fellowship
• Members of the Full Gospel Businness Fellowship

The Full Gospel Businessmen’s Fellowship International (FGBMFI) Ghana has launched the Senior High Schools and Colleges Project (SCP) aimed at empowering and transforming the lives of young people.

Speaking at the launch, Professor Mike Ocquaye, the former Speaker of Parliament, emphasised the need to catch them young and train them as the current times were challenging.

He lauded the project, calling on all to support it, saying “In fact, it’s very important to catch them young, train them, lead them, guide them, and men­tor them because the times are indeed rough,” Prof. Ocquaye said.

Mr Ekow Egyir Dadson, the Director, Schools and Colleges Directorate, stated that since its inception in 2018, the SCP had reached over 70 educational institutions with countless testimonies of transformation.

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“We began with the Presbyterian Boys Secondary School (PRESEC) Legon, and now in 2024, we have visited 74 schools and impacted the lives of over 100,000 students, some of whom were personally mentored and now have graduated from the universities.”

He explained that the SCP, a vision by FGBMFI Ghana, was a bold outreach pro­gramme designed to call young people to Christ, train and equip them for the future.

He cited testimony-sharing, mentor­ship, career guidance, entrepreneurship and counseling as some of the unique approaches to be used in reaching out to the targeted students.

Mr Emmanuel Baba Mahama, the National President of the FGBMFI Ghana, launched the SCP Manual, which would help the FGBMFI Zonal Family Chapters across Ghana in order to adopt schools and colleges within their catchment areas.

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The Schools and Colleges project is making a great impact; we have had first-hand testimonies from school heads, teachers, and students (mentees) about the SCP. This project has come to stay, Mr Baba Mahama assured.

He, therefore, called for more vol­unteers and partners to help the SCP shape the next generation of leaders and citizens.

Findings by the FGBMFI revealed that Ghana’s senior high schools, colleges, and university students face growing challenges like addictions, indiscipline, poor academic performance, pornogra­phy, homosexuality, broken homes, and a lack of godly guidance.

That had been a concern to many parents and society, “but the FGBMFI believes there is hope to rescue and re­store these young students,” Mr Mahama said. –GNA

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