News
Traditional priest slaps interpreter for wrong interpretation
In one of the most unexpected moments of the solemn funeral rites of the late Asantehemaa, Nana Konadu Yiadom III, the ancient world of spiritual protocol collided with human error in a way that left onlookers gasping at the Manhyia Palace.
It was a powerful slap from a traditional priest to his interpreter for wrong interpretation in the presence of the Asantehene,Otumfuo Osei Tutu II.
It happened on Tuesday, second day of funeral event, during the traditional spiritual rites, as a fetish priest of Asanteman completed his reverential dance before the Asantehene.
The priest, his body still swaying with the rhythm of ancestral spirits, began reciting sacred incantations—words that carried the weight of centuries but needed translation for the modern moment.
The interpreter stepped forward, his role crucial in bridging the mystical and the royal.
The Asantehene watched with what observers described as amusement as the translation began, the sacred words flowing into contemporary understanding.
Then came the slap. Sharp, sudden, and delivered with the authority of someone who would not tolerate imprecision in matters of the spirit.
The priest’s palm connected with the interpreter’s face in full view of the king, the chiefs, and thousands of mourners. The sound seemed to cut through even the drumming and chanting.
“The translation was inaccurate,” the priest declared, his voice carrying the weight of spiritual indignation.
In the world of mysticism, words are not mere communication—they are vessels of power, bridges between the living and the ancestors.
And so, mistranslation is not just an error; it is a disruption of cosmic order.
The interpreter, perhaps shaken but understanding the gravity of his mistake, composed himself and resumed his work with noticeably improved precision.
The priest, satisfied that his message would now reach the Asantehene accurately, continued with the ritual, circling the king’s head with a sacred fly whisk as prayers for protection and guidance filled the air.
What might seem shocking to outside observers was, in context, a profound reminder of the serious spiritual work taking place.
In Asante tradition, the connection between the physical and metaphysical worlds is not ceremonial—it is functional, essential, and demands absolute respect.
The incident became one of the most talked-about moments of the funeral, a dramatic reminder that even in 2025, in an age of smartphones and social media, the ancient protocols of spiritual communication remain uncompromisingly sacred in Asanteman.
A 29-year-old tricycle rider, Naah Mashood, has been sentenced to 14 years imprisonment with hard labour for defiling a three-year-old girl at Tiegber in the Wa Municipality.
The Domestic Violence and Victims Support Unit (DOVVSU) of the Upper West Regional Police Command arrested the suspect on February 24, 2026, following a complaint lodged by the victim’s mother.
According to police, the convict, who had been contracted by the parents to pick the victim to and from school, lured her to an isolated location on February 23, 2026, and sexually assaulted her inside his tricycle, popularly known as ‘Camboo’.
After thorough investigations, he was arraigned before the Wa District Magistrate Court and subsequently stood trial at the Wa High Court.
On October 30, 2026, His Lordship Justice Osei-Wusu found him guilty of defilement and sentenced him to 14 years imprisonment with hard labour.
The Upper West Regional Police Command has commended the officers involved in the investigation and prosecution, as well as all persons who contributed to ensuring justice was served.
The Command urged parents and guardians to keep a close eye on their children and ensure their safety at all times, and encouraged the public to report suspected cases of child abuse and defilement to the nearest police station or DOVVSU office for prompt action.
It further assured the public of its commitment to protecting children and ensuring perpetrators of sexual offences are brought to justice.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
The Ashanti Regional Police Command has announced the arrest of three suspected members of a criminal syndicate believed to be behind a series of robberies targeting bank customers in Kumasi and its environs.
On October 31, 2026, at about 11:30 pm, an IGP’s Special Team, comprising personnel from the Anti-Armed Robbery Unit of the CID Headquarters and the Accra Regional Police Intelligence Directorate (PID), acting on intelligence, embarked on an operation to apprehend the suspects.
The operation led to the arrest of two Nigerian nationals, Aboy Promise, 30, and Favour Uwalaka, 45, at a hotel at Moshie Zongo. A search of their rooms resulted in the recovery of GH¢1,600.00, assorted mobile phones, a Royal motorbike and a master key used to gain unauthorized access to victims’ vehicles to steal cash.
During interrogation, the suspects admitted their involvement in the robberies and mentioned two accomplices, Chinedu, alias Alhaji, and Kingsley, alias KC.
Preliminary investigations indicate that the syndicate monitored banking premises, identified customers who withdrew substantial sums of money and trailed them before attacking and robbing them. They also broke into unattended vehicles belonging to bank customers using a master key to steal cash kept inside.
The suspects subsequently led the police team to another hotel at Dechemso, a suburb of Kumasi, where Kingsley, alias KC, 35, also a Nigerian national, was arrested.
The remaining accomplice, Chinedu, alias Alhaji, is currently on the run. The Command is appealing to the public to volunteer credible information that could lead to his arrest. Anyone with information on his whereabouts is urged to report to the nearest police station or contact the police through emergency numbers 191, 112 or the toll-free MTN and Telecel line 18555.
The suspects admitted to robbing a victim of GH¢15,000.00 at Asokore Mampong on Tuesday, October 27, 2026, after the victim had withdrawn money from Kwamang Rural Bank. They also admitted to similar robberies at the Atonsu branch of Fidelity Bank, the Ahodwo branch of Access Bank and other locations within Kumasi and its environs.
The three arrested suspects have since been handed over to the Ashanti Regional Police Command and are assisting with investigations.
The Command has cautioned bank customers to remain vigilant, be alert to suspicious persons around banking premises and avoid leaving cash or other valuables unattended in vehicles, while commending the public for their continued cooperation and assuring residents of its commitment to combating robbery and other criminal activities in the region.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
