News
Traumatised rape victim appeals for support
The 24-year-old young lady who boldly “divided” the penis of a rapist into two at Obuasi a couple of days ago, has appealed for psychological assistance following the traumatic event.
Ms Justina Donkor was allegedly raped by Mr Emmanuel Akron, an alleged armed robber who broke into her room at Abompe, a suburb of Obuasi in the Ashanti Region when she was fast asleep.
Akron is said to have forcibly removed the underwear of the victim and raped her in the process after which he robbed her.
Speaking to this reporter on phone on Tuesday, Ms Donkor said “the ordeal is having a toll on her and that she needs urgent medical attention.”
Ms Justina Donkor, who bit off the penis of a rapist, has appealed for psychological support, due to her traumatic condition.
An armed robber, Emmanuel Akron, broke into their house in Abompey New Site in Obuasi in the Ashanti Region and in the process removed the underwear to forcibly sleep with her, and later asked her to give him a ‘blow job’ to get an erection for another bout of sex.
“I can’t sleep, at times, I shout as though someone is chasing me, anytime I close my eyes, I feel like someone is chasing me with a knife, it is my mother who has been telling me no one is around, so I should keep calm,” she said.
The traumatised victim believes that relocating from the house and the very room the unfortunate incident happened would be better.
According to her, sleeping in the same room the incident happened had not been a comfortable experience to her.
“Any time I am walking, I feel like some people are trailing me, I have reported this to the police, my life is in danger, I don’t feel safe, I can die at anytime,” she remarked painfully.
It is for these reasons that she has appealed for psychological support, and relocation, because her pictures and videos in which she granted interviews are now in the public domain, and she fears friends of Emmanuel Akron may avenge anytime soon.
Justina, who is unemployed, revealed that she failed her English Language paper, and has registered to write NOV/DEC examination to better her grades to enable her to apply for recruitment into the Ghana Police or Military.
Unfortunately for her, the examinations starts on Monday with oral English, but with her condition, appearance in court, and also visits to the hospital for medial care, she had not been in any better position to learn.
The lady claimed she woke up to find the man holding a machete and pointing a locally manufactured pistol at her.
Mr Akron had earlier robbed her of an amount of GH¢550, her TV set and mobile phone.
According to her statement to the police, the rapist, with blood oozing from the wound after the incident, ran away leaving the TV set and her mobile phone behind.
She was rushed to Anglo Gold Ashanti (AGA) Hospital for treatment, and coincidentally, Mr Akron, who was bleeding later turned up there and told the nurses, he was rather attacked by armed robbers who bit off his penis, a story which didn’t add up for the medical staff of the hospital.
Unfortunately for him, Justina Donkor recognised him leading to his arrest.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
Troubled and anxious citizens in Damongo of the Savannah Region have expressed concerns about the number of young people, believed to be under the age of 18, involved in ‘shisha’ smoking in pubs and drinking spots within the township.
Eyewitnesses say the minors were seen patronising nightlife venues, where Shisha smoking happen in the open.
The situation has sparked renewed public concern over the enforcement of child protection laws and regulations governing the operations of entertainment centres in the municipality and country as a whole.
An eyewitness, who spoke to The Spectator on conditions of anonymity for security reasons, noted that the situation was becoming increasingly common.
“This is not a one-off incident. It is becoming very common, but residents like us cannot openly report or speak about it because our lives will be at risk,” he said.
Under Ghanaian law, minors were prohibited from patronising Shisha.
Public health experts have consistently warned that shisha use exposes users to harmful substances that can negatively affect brain development, respiratory health, and overall well-being, particularly among young people.
The residents believe the alleged incidents point to broader challenges relating to youth supervision, substance abuse, and weak enforcement of existing regulations and have called on municipal authorities, security agencies, and regulatory bodies to intensify monitoring of pubs and entertainment centres to ensure compliance with the law.
In an effort to address the menace, Mr Salisu Be-Awurbi, the Savannah Regional Minister, has led public education campaigns, engaged security agencies, and supported enforcement actions to address the rising use of illicit substances in the region.
Wura Kelly Seidu Boresah I, the Chief of Damongo, has also called on all stakeholders including parents, community leaders, institutions, and young people to actively support efforts to curb drug abuse, warning that the rising consumption of hard drugs poses a serious health threat to the future of the youth in the Savannah Region.
He also cautioned individuals involved in the sale and distribution of illicit drugs to immediately desist from the practice, stressing that offenders will face arrest and prosecution in accordance with the law.
From Geoffrey Buta, Damongo, Savannah Region
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Dr Theresa Baffour, an advocate for ending violence and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of SAHM SAHW Foundation, has said that society plays a critical and pivotal role in breaking the cycle of domestic violence.
According to her, domestic violence is a major contributor of making women, who are mostly the victims, mentally derailed and unable to engage in economic activities.
She said this when the foundation called on the Ga Mantse, Nii Tackie Teiko Tsuru II, to solicit support for the initiative by the “Strong and Healthy Minds, Strong and Healthy Women” (SAHM SAHW) to combat domestic violence within the Ga State.
The visit was occasioned by the fact that domestic violence cases have become quite prevalent in the Ga communities and is retarding growth.
According to her, the canker was an impediment to national development because the victims were usually tortured and would have to go through series of therapies to return to the right state of mind.
Dr Baffour mentioned that Gender-Based Violence (GBV) places a mental toll on women, and was, therefore, important to break the cycle through comprehensive mental health support, crisis intervention and empowerment programmes in communities with high rates of GBV.
This intervention, she underscored, would help in empowering the denigrated victim of domestic violence to soundly heal, build and thrive.
Dr Baffour added that the initiative would provide holistic, trauma-informed mental health care and advocacy for young women affected by domestic violence.
According to her, the above statement would create safe spaces for healing and equipping them with entrepreneurial skills for renewed hope and empowered life.
The Ga Mantse pledged his support for the laudable initiative to combat domestic violence and also acknowledged the need to address it in the Ga State.
Further endorsement came from Justice Julia Naa-Yarley Adjei Amoah, Chief of Staff at the Office of the Ga Mantse, as she commended the team of SAHM SAHW Foundation for taking a bold step to end the canker in the Greater Accra.
She added that it was a step in the right direction to save vulnerable women from torture, stress and emotional abuse.
By Alfred Nii Arday Ankrah
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