In a twist to the brutal treatment often meted out to suspected criminals in many Ghanaian communities, residents of Nsawam in the Eastern Region chose “weeding day” over mob justice.

Instead of beating the suspect, as is common in many cases of community justice, the residents ordered him to clear a large, bushy area of land as punishment.

Mob justice has led to several tragic deaths in Ghana, as suspects often suffer severe beatings or torture at the hands of angry mobs. But in this case, the community opted for a non-lethal yet physically demanding form of discipline.

According to a post shared on X by EDHUB on July 9, 2025, the young man, alleged to have engaged in theft, was instructed to clear the land within a day.

In a video that accompanied the post, the suspect is seen cutting weeds with a cutlass, surrounded by a group of young men.

“In Nsawam, we don’t want stealing. If you engage in that, we will discipline you. You will work very hard if you're caught. You will weed this entire portion of land. We don’t tolerate stealing in Nsawam, nonsense!” one of the men is heard saying.

Another voice is heard adding, “When he is done, we will lash him.”

Watch the video below:

Nsawam residents ditched the usual mob justice meted out to suspected thieves, common in many Ghanaian communities, and instead declared a ‘weeding day’ for a young man they caught stealing.

He was expected to clear a large portion of land within the day. pic.twitter.com/k8ARBrisnt

— EDHUB🌍ℹ (@eddie_wrt) July 9, 2025