Tragedy struck in Pantang Village near Abokobi in the Greater Accra Region, as 23-year-old Benjamin Otu Affotey reportedly passed away under puzzling circumstances. According to his mother, Theresah Botchwey, the young man succumbed to injuries sustained in a motor crash that occurred on Sunday, June 4, 2023. Affotey eventually passed away at the 37 Military Hospital on Wednesday, June 7, 2023.
During an interview with Kofi Adomah of Kofi TV, Affotey’s mother recounted the account given by his friend, who informed the family about the accident. According to the friend, they were engaged in a race in the early hours of the morning when they approached a river without sounding their car horns. Unexpectedly, a cow appeared from the river. Although his friend managed to evade the animal, it collided with Affotey’s head and subsequently trampled him, throwing him by the river.
Affotey’s mother revealed that this incident was not the first time her son had encountered strange occurrences while crossing the bridge over the river known as Obedru. She shared two previous incidents relayed by her son—one involving a large snake, as long as a light pole, lying on the bridge, and another involving a man dressed in white emerging from the river. Despite these encounters, Affotey proceeded without taking significant notice.
Madam Botchwey explained that after consulting with the river gods, the family learned that her son had been punished by the river for failing to sound his car horn while crossing the bridge. According to their findings, the river claimed that it had previously warned Affotey about the importance of sounding the horn. The river claimed to have playful children who could potentially be harmed if the warning was not heeded, which led to Affotey’s unfortunate fate.
The grieving mother further revealed that numerous residents had reported mysterious stories and sightings related to the river and its feared deity. It was widely known in the community that even mentioning the river deity while passing by could have serious consequences. The river was considered powerful, capable of causing harm or even death to those who disregarded its warnings or held ill intentions.
Affotey leaves behind an 18-year-old wife and a young baby. His body has been deposited at the 37-Military Hospital Morgue, and the family intends to perform rituals to appease the river deity in accordance with their beliefs and traditions.
