Fasting brings thief to justice

The belief that fasting can precipitate miracles has once again been affirmed, this time in Sunyani in the Brong-Ahafo Region. James Kyeremeh, a shopkeeper, did not hesitate to fast for three days when his friend allegedly stole a digital camera from his shop.

On the third day, he broke the fast and the suspect, only known as Razak, ran to him from Kumasi and pleaded for forgiveness. He was reported to have said that he felt some burning sensation in his body. Razak had earlier denied knowledge of the crime but when he was confronted by Kyeremeh after the three-day fast, he had no choice but to confess.

Briefing the Spectator during the week, Kyeremeh said the camera was given to him for sale by his friend who had returned from Europe. On Wednesday, 15 May this year, Razak who often conveyed his master?s photo-framing materials from Kumasi, brought some items to him.

In the course of their conversation, Razak requested that the camera be given to him to show it to his master who, he said, would definitely buy it. But Kyeremeh refused. Two days later, Razak came back with some items and quickly stole the camera from its box while the storekeeper was attending to a customer outside.

Kyeremeh later detected the disappearance of the camera after Razak had left. Suspecting him to have stolen the camera, he chased him to the lorry station and luckily met him there. A heated argument ensued between the two when Kyeremeh confronted Razak.

In the heat of the confrontation, Kyeremeh left him. But the huge cost of the camera and how to explain the matter to the owner were enough to compel him to fast as his last resort to find the camera. The third day, he broke the fast and prayed. The suspect rushed to him at the shop in tears. Razak then pleaded with him to set him free as he was having sleepless nights and experiencing nightmares.

Razak then asked Kyeremeh to follow him to a nearby bush, where he had dug a hole and had hidden the camera with the intention of using it when the case dies.

In order not to lose his job, Razak pleaded with Kyeremeh not to inform his master but Kyeremeh, bent on showing to the whole world what fasting could do, informed his shop owner as well as Razak?s master on the latest development on the camera. Razak has since been dismissed from work. However, the camera cannot function as it has bee damaged by rain.