In a significant legal development, an Accra Circuit Court has sentenced Nana Adwoa Yamoah, a 35-year-old self-proclaimed spiritualist, to three years in prison for defrauding a man of GH¢95,100. The sentencing, delivered by Judge Dennis Eyram Fumey, came after Yamoah pleaded guilty to charges of defrauding by false pretenses and practicing without proper registration or licensing.
The Case
According to Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Augustine Kingsley Oppong, who prosecuted the case, the complainant, Douglas Abu, is an unemployed resident of Ntotroso in the Ashanti Region. The series of events leading to the fraud began in 2025 when Abu was introduced to Yamoah by a witness, Grace Fosua. Yamoah presented herself as a spiritualist and claimed to possess influential connections with the Asantehene, the paramount chief of the Ashanti Kingdom.
Yamoah assured Abu that she could facilitate his enstoolment as the chief of Ntotroso. Trusting her claims, Abu handed over various sums of money to Yamoah, totaling GH¢95,100. This included GH¢51,000 that Yamoah promised to "double" through spiritual means—an assurance that ultimately proved false.
A Web of Deceit
The court heard that Yamoah further persuaded Abu to finance a trip to Benin for what she described as "spiritual fortification." However, no such fortification took place. Over time, Abu grew suspicious of Yamoah’s intentions and demanded a refund of his money. When Yamoah failed to repay the funds, Abu reported the matter to the police.
Yamoah was subsequently arrested on March 9, 2026. During police investigations, she requested additional time to refund the money but failed to do so. Investigators also discovered that Yamoah was not registered with the Traditional Medicine Practice Council and had allegedly used similar fraudulent methods to deceive other individuals.
The Verdict
Yamoah was convicted on her own plea of guilt. The court initially deferred sentencing pending the results of a pregnancy test, which ultimately returned negative. Following this confirmation, she was sentenced to three years’ imprisonment.
The case serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of falling victim to fraudulent schemes and underscores the importance of verifying the credentials and legitimacy of individuals offering spiritual or professional services.
A Broader Issue
This incident also highlights a broader issue of unregulated practices within the spiritual and traditional medicine sectors in Ghana. Authorities have consistently urged citizens to remain vigilant against scammers who exploit cultural and spiritual beliefs for personal gain. It is essential for practitioners in such fields to be properly registered and licensed to ensure accountability and protect the public from fraudulent activities.
Conclusion
The sentencing of Nana Adwoa Yamoah is a reminder of the legal consequences of fraudulent activities and unlicensed practice. It also serves as a call for stricter oversight of traditional and spiritual practices in Ghana. As this case demonstrates, justice can prevail when victims come forward and report incidents to law enforcement authorities.
-By Tetteh Belinda | GhanaCrimes
