Investigators sent to Dormaa Ahenkro over queenmother's death
Sunyani (Brong Ahafo), 9 March, '99 –The Police Administration has dispatched a crack team of investigators to Dormaa Ahenkro in the Brong Ahafo Region, to help unravel the mystery and circumstances that led to the death of the queen mother of the town.
The team, made up of seasoned crime investigators, is drawn from Sunyani and Accra and led by an Assistant Commissioner of Police.
It would help establish whether the wounds found on the queen mother, Nana Akosua Ansua Ababio, which caused her death were self-inflicted as alleged or were the work of a murderer. This came to light when members of the Traditional Council met the Regional Minister at Sunyani today to express their endorsement for a thorough and speedy investigation into the death of the queen mother on February 27. The Regional Police Commander, Mr R. K. Safo-Kwarteng, who disclosed this, said the police were determined to get to the cause of death of the queen mother and appealed for co-operation from people in the town, especially those in the household of the queen mother. The acting president of the Dormaa Traditional Council, Barima Ansu-Adjei, said members of the council strongly believe there is enough evidence to prove that the queen mother was murdered. Barima Ansu-Adjei said it was not humanly possible for Nana Ansuah Ababio to cut herself deeply several times with a knife as the accompanying pains would prevent her from doing so. Barima Ansu-Adjei said a police report would help the council to determine the next line of action to take as regards her funeral since no official announcement and arrangements could be made without the root cause of her death being known.
He also expressed the displeasure and anger of the council on media reports, which falsely sought to insinuate that the queen mother committed suicide and asked journalists to contact the council before doing stories on the queen mother. The Regional Minister, Mr Donald Adabre, appealed to the chiefs and people of Dormaa to exercise restraint and tolerance in the interest of peace as the police go about their investigations. He said investigations take time to complete and it is only when the team is given all the necessary co-operation and assistance that it could finish its task in good time. The Deputy Regional Minister, Alhaji Kwadwo Maama Adam, responding to the council's strong resentment against the reporter, who fist broke the news about the alleged suicide of the queen mother, appealed for understanding and restraint in spite of their displeasure.
Alhaji Adam noted that in the midst of the unprecedented press freedom being enjoyed in the country, traditions and customs are likely to be disregarded by journalists, and it is only dialogue that could ensure that they would respect the peculiar sentiments of the people.