Residents of Takoradi in the Western Region of Ghana are currently living in fear after news of grave looting in one of the biggest cemeteries (Takoradi Cemetery), broke.
Some of the bodies have vanished, while others have had their essential organs stolen. Looters have ruined the coffins of others. According to reports, over a hundred tombs have been robbed.
Mr. Abdul Karim Hudu, the Environmental Health Director of the Sekondi Takoradi Metropolitan Assembly, confirmed the event, stating that their investigations found that over 30 graves had been tampered with.
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“The cemetery is currently full, we have since asked residents not to bury dead bodies there again. Since there are no activities there, weeds have taken over the place and we do not have security at the cemetery. I went there with my team to ascertain the extent of looting and it was bad. We counted over 30 graves that have been looted and we still don’t know the people behind the act,” he told Nhyiraba Paa Kwesi Simpson, the host of Connect FM’s Omanbapa Morning Show.
However, a visit to the cemetery by Connect FM’s news team found that over one hundred tombs had been looted.
Mr. Hudu further stated that the Assembly has taken steps to prevent the criminals from inflicting more damage at the cemetery.
“We have contracted prisoners to weed the cemetery and we shall also hire the services of a security company to guard the place. We have also made arrangements to collect maintenance fees from families who have relatives burried at the cemetery. We still have the Sekondi public cemetery for people to bury their deceased relatives,” he added.
Anthony K.K Sam, the late mayor of the Sekondi Takoradi Metropolis, closed the Takoradi Cemetery in 2019 when it reached capacity.
A large area of land around the Ketan Road cemetery has been set aside for families to bury their deceased relatives.
