Palm Wine Tapper Arrested for Allegedly Setting Girlfriend’s Family Home Ablaze in Western North Region, Leaving Three Dead Including Teen Student
A 23-year-old palm wine tapper identified as Kwaku Prince, popularly known as “On God,” has been arrested by the police for allegedly setting fire to the home of his 19-year-old girlfriend and her family, resulting in the tragic deaths of three people.
The incident occurred at Subri Nkwanta in the Bibiani Anhwiaso Bekwai Municipality. According to Poulina Tweneboah Koduah, a relative of the victims, the family received a distress call reporting that Prince had stormed their home demanding to see his girlfriend, 19-year-old Benedicta Kudjo Felicia, a student of Queen Senior High School.
Koduah explained that the family had repeatedly warned Prince to stay away from their home, as Felicia was still in school and they did not approve of the relationship. Despite the clear instructions, Prince reportedly persisted, declaring his love for Felicia and threatening to burn down the house if they continued to block his intention to marry her.
Moments later, the family received another call confirming that the suspect had carried out his threat. The house was set ablaze, trapping the occupants inside.
Felicia suffered severe burns and was rushed to the Bibiani Government Hospital, where she later succumbed to her injuries. Her 60-year-old mother, Mary Andoh, died at the Anhwiaso Community Hospital from the same cause. Another sister, 22-year-old Dora Adoma Kudjo, was initially transferred to the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital for advanced treatment but was also confirmed dead.
The suspect, Kwaku Prince, was promptly arrested by the police and is currently assisting with investigations into the arson and the resulting fatalities.
The bereaved family and community leaders have appealed to the authorities to ensure swift and thorough justice is served in the case. They described the incident as heartbreaking and preventable, expressing deep sorrow over the loss of three family members, including a promising young student.
The Ghana Police Service has not yet released an official detailed statement on the arrest or the motive, but the matter remains under active investigation. Arson cases involving personal disputes continue to raise serious concerns about safety in rural communities, particularly when threats escalate into deadly violence.
