Chief Declares War On Occultic Rituals And Cyberfraud In Assin Foso
The Chief of Nyankomasi, Nana Kwaku Apotei IV. Speaking at his 10 years of his estooment's anniversary celebration
Freeman Koryekpor Awlesu Greater 
The current growing phenomenon of the practice of occultic rituals and cyber fraud (sakawa) by the young people in Assin Nyankomasi and the Aboabo Divisional Area in the Assin Foso Municipality of the Central Region have angered the Chief of Nyankomasi, Nana Kwaku Apotei IV.
According to Nana Kwaku Apotei IV, who doubles as the Aboabomanhene and the Bonkumhene of Atendansu Traditional Council, they couldn't understand why some young people in the area are now engaging in this internet occult fraud.
The Nyankomasihene described this internet occult fraud engaged by some youth in the area as unacceptable and called on the stakeholders and opinion leaders to held the chiefs in the areas to flush out those who engaged in this crime in their areas.
The Sakawa is a Ghanaian term for illegal practices which combine modern Internet-based fraud with African traditionalist rituals.
According to him, the term or word Sakawa is a Hausa word which means putting inside, how to make money, adding that the rituals, which are mostly in the form of sacrifices, are intended to spiritually manipulate victims so that the scammer's fraud is successful.
The term Sakawa referred to specific online scams but has since broadened to include all types of online frauds and scams mainly targeting foreigners.
The scammers flaunt stylish clothes, luxury cars, and enormous wealth, in order to promote this activity. In impoverished areas, it can be seen as a way of survival for some.
Scammers involved in this practice call themselves Sakawa boys. A culture has developed around Sakawa which has influenced music and clothing brands.
Movies depicting the lifestyle have become popular, a movement led by Ghanaian filmmaker
However, Nana Kwaku Apotei IV said it is not best to be called a fraudster so he pleaded with the Assin Foso Municipal Chief Executive, Mr. Nicholas Fifi Baako to alert the Assin Foso Municipal Security Committee (MUSEC) so they can assist him to find ways and means to uproot the fraudulent activities in the area.
Since fraudulent activities are destroying the youth and it remains a major challenge to the people of Assin and the entire Nation, Nana Kwaku Apotei IV vowed to end the fraudulent activities in the area and called for Assin Foso MUSEC assistance because he hates to see the fraudsters in his communities after their parents trudged to enroll them in schools.
Nana Kwaku Apotei IV expressed these sentiments when he was addressing the
people of Assin Nyankomasi and the Aboabo Divisional Council during the commemoration of his 10th-anniversary celebration held at Assin Nyankumasi headquarters of Aboabo Divisional Council.
Nana Kwaku Apotei IV was installed in January 2012 after Nana Apotei III joined his ancestors.
The people of Assin Nyankomasi, the Aboabo Divisional Council, and the natives of Assin paid homage to Nana Kwaku Apotei IV at his palace with Fugu dress during the anniversary week.
The Assin Nyankomasi and Aboabomanhene Nana Kwaku Apotei IV were ridden majestically in a palanquin throughout the principal streets of Assin Nyankumasi the headquarters of Aboaboman Divisional Council as their customs demand.
Addressing the people gathered at the Assin Nyankomasi Community Center over the 10th anniversary of Nana Kwaku Apotei IV, the Acting President for Assin Atendansu Traditional Council, Oseadeyee Nana Kwantwi Berima II said, "most often, people called themselves chief and have been boasting themselves.
"So who is a Chief? A Chief is the one who governs, leads, and lobbies for sustainable development for his community and not the one who always wants to live and be called Chief-and-Chief.
"For now, things have changed, the era that Government used to do everything for the community is no more, so my advice is that, if you're a Chief in the Atendansu, Apimanim, and Affuakwa or so far as you're a Chief in the Assin, we all have to work hard and take a step that will bring development to our various communities," added.
For his part, the Assin Foso Municipal Chief Executive pleaded with the general public not to affiliate any Chief to a political party because he moves with politicians.
Mr. Baako added that although they understand Chiefs are not entitled to do politics, yes still, chiefs have to take every step with politicians because every Chief thinks of developmental projects for his Community.
Mr. Baako said every government belongs to Chiefs and it's a hard time chiefs have to support and move with politicians to lobby for the National Cake together and not to rely on the taxes they claimed they have paid when it comes to development.
