News
Farmer, 40, inflicts machete wounds on daughter for visiting estranged wife
Divine Borbor, 40, a farmer at Dzemeni in the South Dayi District of the Volta Region slashed the chin and hand of his 16-year-old daughter with a machete as punishment for visiting her mother, the Ho Circuit Court has heard.
He pleaded not guilty to causing unlawful harm when he was arraigned before the court last week Friday.
Inspector Clever Ayayee, who represented the republic, told the court, presided over by Mr Felix Datsomor that the estranged couple still lived in Dzemeni at different locations.
That made it possible for their daughter, a Senior High School (SHS) student, to visit her mother on daily basis and help her with the household chores, the court was told.
According to the prosecution, the girl often spent the night with her mother and returned to her father’s house the next day, early in the morning to execute similar domestic duties.
The court heard that on June 20, at about 7am, when the girl returned to her father’s house again, the accused ordered her to leave.
The prosecution said that the girl did not budge and that angered her father who left the compound for the room and returned outside with a machete.
There and then, the prosecution said, Borbor used the machete to inflict wounds on the helpless girl’s chin and right hand.
Subsequently, the girl’s mother reported the matter to the police at Kpalime-Duga leading to the arrest of Borbor.
On June 23, Borbor was brought to the Domestic Violence and Victim Support Unit (DOVVSU) in Ho, where he was charged with the offence after investigations.
The girl has since been treated and discharged from hospital, the prosecution said.
The accused who was remanded in police custody is expected back in court on July 22.
From Alberto Mario Noretti, Ho
News
Chief of Abesim destooled
The Dominase Royal Family of Abesim, near Sunyani in the Bono Region, has destooled Barima Kumi Akyeaw III as Chief of Abesim, following a ruling by the Sunyani High Court.
The decision was announced at a media briefing at Abesim on Sunday by the Head of the royal family, Nana Agyei Saarah, who stated that the chief, known in private life as Kelvin Anane Addo, was improperly nominated, elected, and installed.
According to Nana Agyei Saarah, apart from the irregular installation process, the former chief engaged in several actions that brought the Abesim stool into disrepute.
The Sunyani High Court, presided over by Justice Nathan P. Yarney, delivered the ruling on March 25, 2025.
The court upheld that Barima Kumi Akyeaw III was invalidly enstooled, citing a breach of customary procedure.
The Court further noted that the nomination process, conducted by the Adehyepanin (Abakomahene), following the death of the Queen mother of Abesim, failed to follow due traditional process.
He emphasised that under Abesim stool custom- which forms part of the Kyidom Division of the Dormaa Traditional Council, the Abakomahene assumes the authority to nominate candidates in the absence of a Queen mother.
Three candidates—Christian, Kelvin, and one Agyekum were reportedly nominated.
However, the court held that since there was a pending petition before the Judicial Committee of the Dormaa Traditional Council against Kelvin Anane Addo, it was inappropriate for the Dormaahene and his Divisional Chiefs to proceed with his nomination and installation.
Justice Yarney ruled that any act, whether described as opinion, advice, or otherwise, that causes grievance to another, may be subject to the supervisory jurisdiction of the High Court.
From Daniel Dzirasah, Abesim
News
Man narrowly escapes death, accused of stealing 19 fowls, a dog
A 42-year-old man, Kwabena Otoo, narrowly escaped death on the dawn of Monday when residents of Assin Adubiase lynched him, having been accused of stealing 19 fowls and a dog.
“I heard the commotion from my house,” said a resident who wished to remain anonymous. “By the time I reached the scene, there was already a crowd surrounding him. His pleas for mercy were drowned by angry voices.”
Otoo, bleeding profusely and severely injured, might have lost his life if not for a timely distress call to the Assin Fosu Divisional Police Command.
Officers arrived around 4am, pushing through the mob to rescue the battered man.
“We found him in critical condition,” shared one responding officer. “Every minute counted in getting him medical attention.”
Now recovering at the Assin Fosu Polyclinic, Otoo suffered physical wounds but also faces uncertain future as investigations continue.
Medical staff report indicated that he suffered multiple injuries requiring immediate treatment.
Community members claim Otoo’s contradictory answers during questioning triggered their suspicions and subsequent assault.
One witness explained that, “people here have lost too much to thieves… frustration has been building for months.”
The Police have confirmed Otoo is from neighbouring Assin Odumase and are calling for anyone missing fowls or a dog to come forward as part of their investigation.
“This could have ended in tragedy,” warned a police spokesperson. “We understand community frustrations, but mob justice is never the answer. We urge citizens to report crimes rather than taking matters into their own hands.”
From Kingsley E. Hope, Kumasi
