Police arrest 14 persons for performing 'Dipo' rites against social distancing rule

Correspondence from Eastern Region:

The Somanya District Police have arrested a total of 14 residents of Sawer, a suburb of Somanya in the Yilo Krobo Municipality on Saturday, May 2, 2020.

The 14 persons were arrested for failing to comply with the imposition of restriction Act 2020 (Act 1012).

According to the police, at about 1:45 pm on Saturday, the Somanya District Police Commander, DSP Isaac Kojo Otsin, had a tip-off that some residents of Sawer had gathered in a house performing puberty rites known as Dipo, against the President's directive to curtail the spread of COVID-19.

The Police then proceeded to Sawer and arrested the leaders, parents and the children namely Samuel Lawer Opata, age 85, Tetteh Rebecca (70), Korkor Esther (45), Vivian Amish (45) and Bernice Tetteh (38).

Others were Opata Mercy (35), Tetteh Victoria (13), Comfort Ayiki (14), Ernestina Owusu (17), Aboagye Precious (15).

The rest were, Florence Ellie (16), Nartey Eunice (40), Grace Tetteh (40) and Lovelace Emmanuel Odonkor (70).

According to police information, all the suspects have been charged, cautioned and granted court bail to appear before Somanya District Magistrate Court on Monday, May 4, 2020.

“Dipo” is a very prominent cultural practice among Krobos mostly held between April and May for dozens of teenage Krobo girls every year.

Many girls partake in this event which lasts for a period of four days during which they spend most of their time in the Dipo house where the rites take place.

The rite among other things is to prevent teenage pregnancy and sexual promiscuity until girls were of age and ready to be married.

The Coronavirus pandemic which has triggered the imposition of restriction on public gathering will, therefore, disrupt this year’s spiritual exercise.