The Garu District Police Command has arraigned eight people before a court in Bolgatanga over the killing of two elderly women in the Sumaduri-Tempane community of the Upper East Region.
The victims, identified as Mariama Jato, 58, and Nachuagutugu Dunwaag, 75, were allegedly beaten to death by relatives who accused them of witchcraft.
Police said the incident occurred on Jan. 18, 2026, at about 12:30 p.m., when the command received a distress call reporting that two elderly women had been violently assaulted by their children and close relatives.
The seven main suspects, named in court as A1 to A7, are farmers and members of the same family in the community. Investigators said the group blamed the women for what they described as persistent misfortunes within the family.
In search of spiritual confirmation, the suspects reportedly consulted A8, a pastor of the Voice of Healing Assembly Church in the community. Police said the pastor affirmed the witchcraft allegations during the consultation.
Following this, the suspects allegedly armed themselves with sticks and belts and assaulted the two women. Police said the beatings led to the deaths of both victims.
Authorities said the suspects were planning to secretly bury the bodies when police received information about the incident. Officers moved to the scene, retrieved the bodies and conveyed them to the Garu Presbyterian Hospital for preservation and autopsy.
All eight suspects have been charged with murder, conspiracy to commit murder, and abetment of murder, contrary to the Criminal Offences Act, 1960 (Act 29). Police said investigations are ongoing.
The incident has renewed concerns over witchcraft accusations and mob justice in parts of the Upper East Region, where elderly women are often vulnerable to violence linked to superstition.
Community leaders and human rights advocates have called for intensified public education, stronger protection for older persons and strict enforcement of the law.
Freda Yaya Laar-Mong, First North East Regional Representative of Ghana’s Most Beautiful, also called for justice.
“This barbaric practice of accusing elderly women and beating them to death must stop,” she said, adding that she is confident the police will pursue the case to its conclusion.
Source: A1 Radio | 101.1 Mhz | Moses Apiah | Garu
