Mayera: Juvenile Sets Two Children Ablaze

Reports indicate a troubling rise in juvenile crime across the country, with recent incidents in Senior High Schools and other locations highlighting the issue. A shocking case emerged on Wednesday, January 8, 2025, at Mayera in the Trobo constituency, where a Junior High School student, identified as Sabed from Adusa Basic JHS, allegedly set two young boys ablaze in broad daylight.

Victims and Injuries

The victims, David Amponsah, 7, and John Evans Quansah, 8, suffered varying degrees of burns. Quansah sustained severe burns and has been hospitalized since the incident, while David, who suffered minor burns on his feet, was treated and discharged. However, he was unable to attend school for two weeks while recovering.

Father of Quansah Speaks Out

Narrating his son’s ordeal, Mr. Daniel Asiedu, father of Quansah, stated that on the fateful day, he had just returned home from school with his son and given him money for lunch. Shortly after, he left for a meeting, only to receive a distressing call informing him that his son had been injured and rushed to the Anglican Health Center in Pokuase.

Upon arrival, Mr. Asiedu found his son suffering from severe burns, particularly on his torso. Medical personnel had to remove the burnt skin to treat the wounds. After two days at the Anglican Health Center, Quansah was referred to Bridge Hospital, where he remains in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of the Burns Unit. Doctors have been battling to stabilize his condition.

Rising Medical Costs

Mr. Asiedu revealed that the medical expenses have been overwhelming, surpassing GH₵50,000 on receipted medications alone, not including unreceipted costs, feeding, and transportation for frequent hospital visits. He lamented that he has been financially drained and is struggling to afford further medical care for his son. He has since made a public appeal for financial support from philanthropists and the general public.

Parents of Culprit Uncooperative

Expressing his frustration, Mr. Asiedu accused Sabed’s parents of being indifferent and unsupportive. Despite living in the same community, they have visited his injured son only twice and have shown no remorse. He added that while his son remains hospitalized and unable to attend school, Sabed continues his education without any repercussions.

Similarly, Madam Gertrude Amponsah, mother of David Amponsah, condemned the attitude of Sabed’s parents. She noted that they claim to be too busy to check on the victims, despite living just a wall away.

Incident Recap

Eyewitnesses recounted that on the afternoon of the incident, David, John, and some friends were playing football when Sabed invited them to witness his “magic trick.” He reportedly showed them Litamol Alcohol, a substance used in his school for burning rubbish, and decided to demonstrate its effects.

Sabed allegedly spread the substance on a wall where the boys were sitting and struck a match, causing a sudden explosion. The flames engulfed David and John, with John suffering the most severe burns. Shockingly, after realizing the extent of the injuries, Sabed ran to John’s mother and reportedly said, “Nana (John) has burnt!” before fleeing the scene.

The incident has since left the community in shock, with many calling for justice and stricter measures to curb juvenile delinquency.

By S.O. Ankamah