Security Analyst Adib Saani has stated that the ruling on the Kasoa ritual murder case raises deeper societal issues beyond the conviction of the young perpetrator.
He expressed concern about the influence of spiritualists, particularly the “mallam” involved, and questioned whether the authorities have adequately addressed his role in the tragedy.
An Accra High Court on Thursday, October 24, sentenced Nicholas Kini, a student to life for killing 10- year- old Ishmael Mensah Abdallah at Kasoa in 2021 for money ritual.
Adid Saani noted that the boy had allegedly approached the spiritualist seeking human sacrifice in exchange for wealth, raising the question of whether the spiritualist has been held accountable. He criticized the continued presence of such figures on television, promoting instant wealth schemes and influencing vulnerable viewers. According to him, the media’s legitimization of these practices has worsened the situation by encouraging people, especially the youth, to pursue quick riches.
He emphasized that Ghana’s unemployment crisis plays a significant role in driving these trends, with the national unemployment rate at 14.7% and regions like the Northern Region facing even higher rates of 22%. This economic pressure, Saani argued, has created an environment where many young people seek shortcuts to wealth, neglecting hard work and legitimate means of success.
Saani also expressed concern about the moral decline in society, where sudden displays of wealth are often celebrated instead of questioned. He lamented how parents sometimes become proud of children who acquire suspicious wealth, contributing to a growing social pressure for young people to focus solely on becoming rich.
He called on the National Communications Authority (NCA) to take action against television shows promoting occult practices, warning that many young people have admitted to being influenced by such content. According to Saani, these shows not only harm individuals but also threaten the moral fabric of society.
He called for a broader approach to addressing the issue, stating that legal measures alone are insufficient. He stressed the need to tackle the economic, social, and cultural factors that push young people toward dangerous pursuits for instant wealth.