Wa – Upper West Region, Ghana : Earlier today, thousands of residents from the Wa Municipality in the Upper West Region participated in a peaceful demonstration to express their outrage over the ongoing serial killings in the area.
Organized by Labadi Camp, a youth activist group based in Kambali, the protest commenced at 7:00 AM from the forecourt of the ministries block and proceeded through the principal roads of Wa. The demonstration, which was authorized by all relevant authorities, aimed to achieve two primary goals:
1. To stop the serial killings.
2. To seek justice for all affected persons.
The protest was attended by several high-profile dignitaries, including Dr. Rashid Pelpuo, Member of Parliament for the Wa Central Constituency; Mr. Elyasu Yusif Baba, CEO of Bahass Foundation; Hon. Issahaku Nuhu Putiaha, and many others. Protesters carried placards with messages such as “#Stop the serial killings in Wa” and “#Ghana is for all of us. We have nowhere to go.”
Speaking to the media, Dr. Rashid Pelpuo reaffirmed his commitment to ensuring the perpetrators are apprehended, offering a bounty of 100,000 Gh cedis for any information leading to their arrest.
The convener of Labadi Camp delivered a petition to the President through the Upper West Regional Minister, highlighting the community’s urgent need for justice and security.
Events Leading to the Protest
The unrest began in September 2022 when serial killings targeted watchmen and mentally challenged individuals in Wa, resulting in the deaths of about 14 men, many with missing body parts. Swift action by authorities and residents initially brought the situation under control.
However, on June 17th, 2024, the killings resumed with the murder of two watchmen in a single night at the GES Wa East office annex in Konta and Wa Model JHS. This resurgence of the killings prompted the recent peaceful demonstration, as residents seek to ensure their safety and demand justice for the victims.
