Nana Owusu Pinkra II, Krontihene of Kintampo, has revealed that the accident that occurred at the Kintampo Waterfalls resulting in the death of 18 students was caused by spiritual forces.

According to him, the gods were angry over the neglect of customary and traditional practices by some chiefs, thereby registering their displeasure through such means.

Some 18 bodies were retrieved from the Kintampo Waterfall after a tree fell following a rainstorm there in the area earlier.

The incident is said to have happened on Sunday March 19 at about 4:30pm.

According to reports, the tree fell onto persons, most of them believed to be students, who were swimming under the fall.

Speaking in an interview with Chief Jerry Forson, host of Ghana Yensom, on Accra100.5FM, the Krontihene said: “Whether we believe or not, all of God’s creations including rivers, trees, forests, and mountains have some form of spirits residing in them and so when we respect these creatures, it means we are respecting the spirits of God.

“Over here in Kintampo, we have rivers called Punpun, Ahwiresu, Abrewa, and others and all of these rivers are highly respected in the spiritual realm. As a way of respecting these spirits, there is the need to ensure that these rivers are protected. Some days are set aside where no human activities take place there as a way of showing respect to the spirits.

“But there is a problem and that is, we have neglected these traditions and so the gods are angry. Ordinarily they would have revealed this tragedy to us for us to perform some traditions to avert it, however, they did not because we have also neglected them. Today, some chiefs are only interested in how they will line their pockets, neglecting traditions, and that is the cause of yesterday’s tragedy.”