Harriet Amuzu, the woman captured in a viral video being beaten by her husband, has broken her silence. Speaking to the media on Thursday, November 19, she disclosed that the assault was triggered by her refusal to have sex with her husband, John Odartey Lamptey.

According to her, she denied him any form of intimacy because they had been separated for five months. She noted that she left her husband’s residence at Ofankor in the Greater Accra Region due to his consistent abuse.

However, she found herself at his residence that day because her husband informed her that their child was unwell. Harriet Amuzu added that, unknowingly to her, that was a trap set by her husband to lure her to his residence. She alleged that he did not take it lightly after she informed him she was leaving upon realizing she had been tricked.

“I was at a funeral when he called to say our lastborn was not feeling well. I rushed home, only to find the children playing. When I asked, he said he lied because he wanted to have sex with me,” she recounted.

She noted that her husband “He told me he had trapped me to kill me,” after she declared her intention to return to her residence. The victim further revealed, “He tore my dress and my undershorts, saying he bought them. He even tore the beads around my waist, leaving me naked. He beat me with the metal rod from a standing broom and stepped on me. At one point, he picked up a knife and threatened to cut off my hand.”

Meanwhile, John Odartey Lamptey has been in police custody after he was arrested on Monday, November 17. According to a statement signed by the Public Relations Officer, Chief Inspector Brigitte Babanawo, on November 18, two of the suspect's siblings attempted to attack a female tenant whom they suspected had recorded the incident, drawing the attention of authorities.

"Following his arrest, two of his siblings, Grace Kushie Lamptey and Louis Odartey Lamptey, who attempted to attack a female tenant they suspected of recording and circulating the video, were also arrested, and the tenant was rescued to ensure her safety."

The Ministry of Gender, Children, and Social Protection has strongly condemned the violent assault, describing it as an act that infringes on the victim’s rights and is highly punishable by law. In a statement, the Ministry stressed that no individual has the right to subject another person to any form of abuse under any circumstances.

"The Minister has also reached out to the Ghana Police Service to ensure that a thorough investigation is conducted and justice is served. We also encourage eyewitnesses with vital information to assist law enforcement agencies immediately," a part of the statement read.

A disturbing video that circulated last month also prompted the intervention of the military police. It was CCTV footage showing a muscular man assaulting a young male pharmacist and a young woman in a pharmacy. The incident, which took place at Burma Camp in Accra, came to light late on Wednesday, October 29. In the widely circulated video, the tall, dark-complexioned man was seen slapping the pharmacist.

The abuser, whose name has been given as Warrant Officer Class One (WO1) Mensah Williams of the Ghana Air Force, was further seen attacking the woman with several blows to her head after she attempted to record the incident. Despite attempts by bystanders to intervene, Mensah Williams continued the assault.

In response to the incident, the military police arrested Mensah Williams. He is currently in the custody of the Cantonments Police for further investigation and possible prosecution. The video sparked intense debate on social media, with many Ghanaians calling for swift and firm disciplinary action against the soldier.

According to reports, the assaulted woman is the daughter of the former Provost Marshal of the Military Police. The Provost is a senior military officer responsible for law enforcement, discipline, and security within the armed forces. He coordinates and oversees investigations into crimes involving military personnel.

Meanwhile, the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) has condemned the act, assuring the general public that it will not condone any acts of assault on civilians and will not shield any soldier engaged in such conduct.

In recent years, Ghana has recorded several assaults by security personnel, particularly those affiliated with the military. Earlier this month, residents of Bawku in the Upper East Region recounted terrifying encounters with military personnel, accusing them of using guns, stones, and metal objects to assault civilians during a late-night operation.

On the night of Tuesday, March 18, heavily armed soldiers reportedly stormed homes in Bawku, conducting forced searches and physically assaulting residents. This military action is said to have been triggered by the fatal shooting of a Ghana Armed Forces officer on Monday, March 17. Reports indicate the officer was ambushed and killed by unidentified gunmen while walking.

In July, the statue of the Bawku Naba, Naba Asigri Abugrago Azoka II, was allegedly destroyed by some members of the Ghana Armed Forces during a confrontation with locals in Bawku, Upper East Region. The statue, erected in 2024 in honor of the Zugraan (Overlord) of the Kusaug Traditional Area—Asigri Abugrago Azoka II—served as a strong emblem of tradition and communal pride.

Reconstruction of the statue is expected to begin in the coming days following a directive from His Excellency, President John Dramani Mahama. The then Minister of Defence, Dr. Edward Omane Boamah, in collaboration with other security agencies, was tasked with overseeing the process and restoring calm in the area.

This information was made known by Dr. Edward Omane Boamah during a durbar with all ranks of the Ghana Armed Forces at Burma Camp on Wednesday, July 17. “To assure that His Excellency President John Dramani Mahama, the Commander-in-Chief of the Ghana Armed Forces, remains committed to bringing an end to decades-old conflict. To address the recent happenings, the National Security Coordinator, myself, the Minister for the Interior, the Chief of the Defence Staff, and the IGP have all been tasked to play coordinated but differentiated roles to ensure that peace and calm are restored immediately, and this includes the restoration of the statue of the Zugraan of the Kusasis Traditional Area,” he added.

The recent altercation in Bawku has reportedly led to the deaths of five locals. On Tuesday, July 15, some Members of Parliament in the Upper East Region called for the prosecution of the soldiers involved and compensation for the victims.

Last month, a police-led intelligence operation resulted in the arrest of five individuals accused of trafficking 57 Nigerian nationals into Ghana under false pretenses, linking them to a broader human trafficking and cybercrime scheme. The suspects, identified as Joel Nosa, Collins Rotimi, Shadrack Lulu, Austin Amahuaro, and John Uloko, were arrested on Wednesday, October 22, during an operation by the CID’s Operations Unit at Adom Estates, Community 25, according to a statement from the Ghana Police Service.

Investigations indicate the group belongs to a well-coordinated trafficking network that lured young Nigerians to Ghana with false promises of employment or educational opportunities. Upon arrival, however, the victims, aged 18 to 26, were reportedly forced into online romance scams and other forms of cybercrime.

During the raid, officers recovered 77 assorted laptops, 38 mobile phones, two vehicles, three television sets, and several internet-enabled devices believed to have been used in the illegal activity. All items are undergoing forensic analysis.

All 57 victims are currently receiving medical attention, psychosocial care, and temporary shelter under the supervision of the appropriate agencies. The statement added that the suspects are in police custody assisting with further investigations.

The Ghana Police Service has also cautioned the public, especially young people, to be wary of enticing offers of jobs, education, or travel made through social media and other unverified channels.

“We caution the general public to remain vigilant about offers of employment, educational opportunities, or travel arrangements made through social media or other unverified sources,” the statement read. The Service reaffirmed its commitment to combating human trafficking, cybercrime, and related offenses, and urged the public to report any suspicious activities to the nearest police station.