‘Chop bar’ goat money thief freed

A 38-year-old popular local DJ in Asante Awhimso in the Ashanti Region, Yaw Sam who was jailed for spending money given him to buy a goat for a ‘chop bar’ business has been released from prison.

Crime Check Foundation (CCF) with support from one of its US-based donors, Marcella Agyemang Duah paid Sam’s court fine of One Thousand Eight Hundred Ghana, which he defaulted leading to his imprisonment.

Speaking to Crime Check TV GH, whiles praising the Officer-In-Charge of the Awutu Camp Prison, DDP William Anaman, Sam said he regrets his actions which led him into jail. He said with the teachings and training he had undergone at the Camp Prison he has turned a new leaf.

However, his worry is that he is going to start life afresh as his former wife has taken all his belongings along with her after she cheated on him.

“I was jailed eighteen months at the Ankaful Main Prison and then I was later transferred to the Awutu Camp Prison. At the Camp Prison, I was encouraged to dedicate my life to God so I was always in the Chapel praying and learning God’s word. My colleagues even call me pastor, thanks to Mr. Anaman. Though I am happy I am going home, my worry is that I do not have anything again and I am even going to sleep on the floor when I get home. My former wife did not even leave me with a boxer short,” he cried.

The Executive Director of CCF, Mr. Ibrahim Oppong Kwarteng encouraged him to be cheerful for his change of mind and his dedication to God is worthy than material gains.

Mr. Kwarteng who doubles as the Ambassador Extraordinaire of Ghana Prisons entreated him to eschew all criminal acts he engaged in and be hopeful that it is going to be well with him as he starts a new life.

Sam’s imprisonment

Sam admitted spending an amount of Seven Hundred Ghana cedis meant to buy a goat for a ‘chop bar’ operator attributing it to financial difficulties he faced during that period after his job collapsed.

Sam who also worked as an electrician said he has nine children to take care of as his wife already has six children from her previous relationship and he also has additional two kids with her.

He said the ‘chop bar’ operator asked a mob to lynch him to pay for the money but he pleaded that he should be handed over to the police.

Sam said apart from the ‘goat money’, he also spent money he was given in advance by a cocoa dealer after showing interest in his cocoa farm. He said he spent the money hoping that the businessman would buy the land but luck eluded him. He indicated that the businessman came back later to demand his money because he had lost interest in buying the farmland.

Sam said he could not refund the money so the businessman got him arrested.

In another instance, Sam claimed that a co-tenant he accompanied to pay his fine at the Court and gave him One Hundred Ghana cedis turned around to accuse him of exploiting him of One Thousand Six Hundred Ghana cedis. Sam said when he was sent to court, the complainants pleaded with the judge to let him go but the judge indicated it was too late to grant their request so he was jailed.

By Rudolph Nandi