The Executive Director of Child Rights International (CRI), Bright Appiah, has called for the proper regulation of the media space in the country to prevent unwholesome content.
Speaking in an interview, he expressed concerns with the exposure of children to inappropriate content;on both traditional and social media which he says contributes to dastardly acts.
His call comes as a result of the recent alleged murder of a 10-year-old by two teenage boys in Kasoa.
“For children to engage in this kind of practice, it shows that, children are being exposed;to acts that make them believe that overnight, they can make money.
“Adequate policies need to be put in place so that we can limit the activities of other people, especially; the media when it comes to TV for showing adverts that portray people in a certain way;in terms of money rituals and other things.”
Bright Appiah
Mr. Appiah further intimated that there is the need for the regulation of what and when certain things are advertised.
“It is important for the system to be regulated otherwise, we will continue to see these kinds of acts.”
Bright Appiah
Spiritualist inspired us to kill
The police prosecutor in the ritual murder case Inspector Japhet Agyeman, has disclosed that,;the two suspects who allegedly killed the 10-year-old Ishmael Mensah were inspired after watching a spiritualist on TV.
According to the prosecutor, the fact sheets with the account given by the teenagers revealed that one of the suspects,;Felix Nyarko, indicated he was moved after watching a spiritualist on television on how he could make people instant millionaires.
This idea, he says, he discussed with his friend, Nicholas Kini, the second suspect, who said;he also knows another spiritualist in the Volta Region who could help them execute it.
According to the fact sheet also, after contacting the spiritualist,;they were instructed to provide a human being and an amount of GH¢ 5,000;for rituals to be performed to make them rich. So,
“For some time now, the 1st accused [Felix Nyarko] has been watching Ghana Television channels;which entertain mallams;and other spiritualists to promote their prowess in making people instant millionaires. He informed 2nd accused [Nicholas Kini] who advised that;there is a certain spiritualist in Volta Region who can do it for them. Also,
“The 2nd accused who is not having a phone provided phone number of the said spiritualist;to 1st accused who has access to his mother’s phone. After contacting the said spiritualist, she agreed to help if only they can provide a human being;and cash sum of GH¢ 5,000 for the rituals.”
The document further noted that the two suspects initially planned to kidnap the deceased;and take a GH¢ 5,000 ransom from his parents to be presented to the spiritualist for the rituals;but changed their minds after realizing it was impossible to do that. m
Suspects remandededia space
Meanwhile, the two suspects are currently on remand in police custody;and expected to make a second appearance in court on April 20, 2021. However,