
Source: Graphic.com.gh
A heartbreaking story of loss, poor choices, and hope for redemption unfolded as a 15-year-old juvenile was sentenced to 12 months in prison at the Senior Correctional Centre in Accra. The teenager, who was convicted of conspiring to murder a 10-year-old boy for a money ritual, tearfully pleaded for forgiveness before the Juvenile Court.
In his emotional statement, the young convict, consumed with regret, said, “It was not my intention to kill my dear friend and to end his life this way. I pray the court would forgive all my sins and give me a second chance.”
The tragedy occurred on April 3, 2021, when the 15-year-old and an accomplice, then 18 years old, lured Ishmael Mensah Abdallah, the victim, into an uncompleted building in Kasoa with the intent of sacrificing him for a money ritual. Acting on instructions from a spiritualist, the boys committed the heinous act in hopes of financial gain.
Court Proceedings
The presiding judge, Bernice Mensimah Ackon, recounted that the juvenile, who had been on remand for over three years, would have served his sentence under the Juvenile Justice Act 2003 (ACT 653). However, considering the gravity of the offense and the boy’s desire to pursue technical education, the judge extended the sentence by 12 months. The young offender will now have an opportunity to learn technical vocational skills at the correctional facility.
A Case That Shocked a Nation
This case has highlighted the dangers of greed, spiritual deception, and the vulnerabilities of young people who fall prey to misguided influences. The juvenile’s accomplice, Nicholas Kini, now 18, was sentenced to life in prison by the High Court after being found guilty on two counts of conspiracy to commit murder and the substantive charge of murder.
The court learned that the two boys had consulted a spiritualist who requested GH¢5,000 and a human being for a ritual locally known as “sakawa.” The victim, Ishmael, was brutally attacked and buried in a shallow grave before the accused could carry out their ultimate plan.
Lessons and a Call to Action
This case serves as a wake-up call for society, particularly for the youth, about the dangers of materialism and the need to make godly choices. It also underscores the importance of parental guidance, mentorship, and teaching young people about the value of life and the consequences of sin.
As believers, we are reminded that spiritual deception and greed are tools of the enemy, leading people down paths of destruction. James 1:14-15 warns us, “But each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.”
Hope for Redemption
Even in the face of tragedy, there is hope. The young convict has expressed remorse and is being given a chance to turn his life around through vocational training. Let us pray for him, the grieving family of Ishmael, and for our youth who are being led astray by worldly temptations.
May this story ignite a deeper sense of responsibility in us to mentor, guide, and reach out to the next generation with the love and truth of Christ. Let’s spread the Gospel, pointing young people toward the eternal riches found in Jesus Christ, rather than the fleeting promises of the world.
“For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses his own soul?” – Mark 8:36