The Homicide Unit of the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) has detained a 25-year-old fetish priest and herbalist following the murder of a 40-year-old trader whose mutilated remains were located in the Central Region.
The suspect was apprehended in relation to the death of Joyce Akua Ampongmaa, a trader from Akweley Kasoa, after her body was discovered in woodland at Awutu Bentum.
During a media briefing on Tuesday, 12 May, regarding significant investigative developments, the Director-General of the CID, Lydia Yaako Donkor, explained that police received a report on 10 March 2026 from the Safohene of Awutu Bentum concerning the discovery of a mutilated female body on the town’s outskirts.
Officers attending the scene found the deceased with both her head and legs removed.
“The remains were conveyed to the Police Hospital mortuary for preservation and autopsy, after which the deceased was identified as Joyce Akua Ampongmaa,” COP Donkor stated.
Subsequent enquiries established that the deceased had sought herbal treatment from the suspect in 2025 for a swollen leg.
Police further noted that she visited the suspect again on 4 March 2026 to request spiritual assistance for the protection of her business.
The CID Director-General alleged that the suspect lured the victim into nearby bushes under the guise of gathering herbs following consultations at his shrine.
“He attacked her from behind with a cutlass, killed her, dismembered the body, and concealed the remains in the bush before taking parts away,” COP Donkor disclosed.
Under interrogation, the suspect reportedly confessed to the killing and informed investigators that he had buried the victim’s head at Mafi Avedo in the Volta Region and her legs at his property in Awutu Bentum.
By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana
