A deep rift has emerged over the manner in which a local group, Gadangbe United, conducted a recent crackdown on suspected female sex workers in Korle Woko.
The operation, led by youth chief Nii Tetteh Mowamo, saw the destruction of several structures in the area and a stern order for the suspected sex workers to vacate. However, the aggressive exercise has drawn fierce criticism from local Asafoatsemei (traditional military leaders), who argue the operation bypassed proper customary and legal channels.
Critics have questioned the youth chief’s authority, pointing out that Nii Tetteh Mowamo has no jurisdiction over the Korle Woko area.
Local traditional leaders insist that even if he believed intervention was necessary, customary protocol dictated that he consult the local chiefs first.
Furthermore, some residents have pointed out an apparent double standard, noting that pressing issues in Mowamo’s own jurisdiction around Bukom—including open-air drug peddling and youth smoking—remain largely unaddressed.
Nii Oshipi Kpenkpen, an Asafoatse in the Ngleshie Alata traditional area, strongly condemned the raid, describing the actions of the youth chief and his followers as unlawful.
Speaking on Nyankonton Mu Nsem on Rainbow Radio 87.5FM, he acknowledged that while street prostitution poses a genuine challenge to the community, the group should have adopted a more lawful and structured approach.
According to Nii Kpenkpen, the appropriate course of action would have been to petition the Ga Traditional Council—under whose jurisdiction the area falls—alongside local opinion leaders, the Office of the Member of Parliament, and the Ghana Police Service.
He argued that a joint task force comprising these stakeholders would have been a far more effective and lawful way to address the issue.
He further noted that forcefully evicting the women without legal authorisation was highly inappropriate, especially given the complex social realities surrounding sex work.
He warned that some of the women involved might be victims of exploitation, forced labour, or human trafficking—serious crimes that require thorough police investigation rather than vigilante action.
Had the young men consulted the authorities, Nii Kpenkpen added, those managing the suspected sex workers could have been properly investigated and apprehended.
“The Chief who left Kinka and came all the way to Korle Woko erred. He could not have moved all the way from his area and come there and evict the people. He should have consulted the traditional leaders, police and other leaders over the matter. It was important for them to have petitioned the Ga Traditional Council, the Ghana Police Service, the Office of the Member of Parliament. I admit that the female sex work has been in the area for years but they needed authorisation from authorities to support them. The activities of the sex workers had the potential in escalating sexually transmitted infections including HIV which has increased sharply in recent times. And so, we all support any move to stop them. However, the approach used was unlawful and that is what I am against,” Nii Kpenkpen stated.
He also dismissed claims that the Ga Mantse, Nii Tackie Teiko Tsuru II, had sanctioned the raid, clarifying that such assertions are entirely false.
By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana