The quiet suburb of Gaglokope, Denu, in the Ketu South Municipality of Ghana was shaken on March 14th by the tragic suicide of a young man named Fabrice Woesah. Woesah, a 20-year-old unemployed senior high school graduate and father of a premature three-month-old baby, was found hanging from a dead tree branch with a yellow nylon rope around his neck. The circumstances surrounding his death paint a picture of a young man burdened by the weight of responsibilities he struggled to meet. The incident has left the community grappling with the complexities of youth unemployment, financial strain, and the devastating consequences of untreated depression, highlighting the urgent need for support systems for vulnerable young people.
The events leading up to the discovery of Woesah’s body were seemingly ordinary. According to a family source, Ms. Bernice Ahorlete, Woesah had fetched water and left the house, giving the impression of running a quick errand. However, as time stretched on and he failed to return, concern turned to alarm. A search was initiated, culminating in the heartbreaking discovery of his lifeless body suspended from the tree. The scene, devoid of any signs of struggle or external injury, pointed toward suicide. However, a closer examination revealed a broken cervical vertebrae and protruding tongue, suggesting the violent force involved in the act.
The assembly member for Denu, Mr. Israel Bossman, confirmed the incident and the subsequent involvement of the police. The authorities transported Woesah’s body to the Ketu South Municipal Hospital morgue for preservation pending an autopsy and further investigation. While the absence of visible injuries suggested no foul play, the police proceeded with their investigation, demonstrating a commitment to due process despite the family’s pleas to discontinue the inquiry.
The prevailing belief within the community, corroborated by Mr. Bossman, is that Woesah’s suicide was a result of severe financial strain coupled with the emotional weight of caring for a premature infant. His partner, also unemployed, was hospitalized with their baby, adding to his already precarious financial burden. This narrative underscores the devastating impact of unemployment and financial hardship, particularly on young parents, and highlights the importance of access to mental health resources for individuals facing such overwhelming pressures. The tragic incident sheds light on the desperate choices some individuals make when faced with seemingly insurmountable challenges.
Woesah’s family, grappling with their grief and likely facing further financial hardship due to funeral expenses, requested the police to cease their investigation. Their plea, born out of economic constraints, suggests a desire to expedite the burial process and avoid additional costs associated with a prolonged investigation. While understandable given their circumstances, the police, recognizing the importance of a thorough investigation, declined the family’s request. This underscores the delicate balance between respecting the wishes of a grieving family and fulfilling the legal obligation to investigate unnatural deaths.
On Tuesday, March 18th, the police took the necessary legal steps by approaching the Agbozume District Court to seek the coroner’s directives regarding a post-mortem examination. This action demonstrates the police’s adherence to legal procedures and their commitment to determining the precise cause of death. While the circumstances point towards suicide, a post-mortem examination provides crucial medical evidence to confirm the cause of death and rule out any other possibilities. The outcome of the autopsy, along with the police investigation, will provide a clearer picture of the events that led to this tragic loss of a young life. Fabrice Woesah’s story serves as a stark reminder of the struggles faced by unemployed youth and the devastating consequences of untreated depression, highlighting the critical need for community support systems and accessible mental health resources.
