2023 came with its drama across all facets of Ghanaian life and there were some odd and bizarre stories to amaze and make one speechless.
From botched crime stories, strange happenings, and even tragic oddities, Ghanaians had their fair share of weird events.
Here, The Ghana Report brings you some of these sensational stories that took readers by surprise in 2023.
- Man attempts to steal VIP Bus
A man believed to be in his mid-30s attempted to steal a Grand Bird bus at Asafo in Kumasi in March 2023.
It is alleged the man tried to drive away the bus with registration number GE-2384 belonging to the V.I.P. Transport Company.
According to an eyewitness, the driver and his mate started pursuing the suspect who was driving the stolen bus.
Upon sensing danger, the suspect jumped out of the moving bus leaving it unmanned.
But luck eluded the suspect and he was arrested with the support of some community members and was unfortunately lynched.
- The suspected thief ‘freezes’ at the entrance of the house he tried to rob
Luck eluded a young man believed to be in his early 20s in March 2023, when he got stuck in his attempts to steal from his landlord.
Reports indicate that the suspected thief was about to enter the room when the incident occurred at Drobo in the Jaman South Municipality of the Bono Region.
According to the reports, the landlord has been the target of consistent burglary in recent times, losing a lot of his belongings.
He allegedly decided to cast a spell to help him catch the suspect should he or she return to steal from him again.
As expected, the impenitent thief returned and in the case of every day for the thief, one day for the owner, the unidentified young man froze and became immobile at the entrance.
The suspect stood for almost 24 hours, causing his hands and feet to swell.
- Farmer arrested for allegedly having sex with a goat
A 23-year-old farmer at Kentey in the Nkwanta South Municipality of the Oti Region was arrested for allegedly having sex with a goat.
According to the police, on Saturday, May 20, 2023, the owners of the goat made a report that someone had been having sex with their nanny goats.
The complainant suspected Kwaku Atta, a farmer, but he denied his involvement in such acts.
Several weeks afterward, the suspect was caught in one of his adventures and was reported immediately to the police, who proceeded to arrest him.
Feeling embarrassed, the suspect’s wife abandoned him and left their matrimonial home.
- Hunter drowned while chasing a grasscutter
In May 2023, a 40-year-old hunter drowned in river Oda while chasing a grass-cutter during a hunting expedition at Kyiransa, near Senfi in the Bekwai Municipality.
He was said to have died when he jumped into the river in an attempt to catch the animal that dived into the river during the hot chase.
All attempts by his friends to rescue him proved futile.
After a day of searching, the elders of the community performed some rituals, and the deceased’s body was found.
- Man buries father in Toyota Corolla vehicle
A businessman, identified as Norbert Atodio buried his deceased father in a Toyota Corolla at Navrongo in May 2023.
According to reports, Mr Atodio allegedly disregarded directives from the Kassena Nankana Municipal Assembly and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), which prohibited burying his father in the white vehicle.
A video of the burial showed the vehicle being driven into a tiled tomb while others looked on.
The burial of Mr Atodio’s father in a Toyota Corolla sparked debate and raised several questions on social media.
- Woman nearly loses finger after buying ring from a friend
In a distressing incident that unfolded in July 2023, at Kasoa in the Central Region, Faustina Richter, a 35-year-old woman, found herself on the brink of losing a finger.
This was after purchasing a wedding ring from a close friend to replace her lost one.
Narrating her ordeal to the media, she said although the ring felt slightly tight on her finger, she disregarded it, assuming it was due to her extended break from wearing one.
The following day, she woke up to discover her finger had swelled significantly, and all her attempts to extricate the ring proved futile.
It was not until medical professionals from Kasoa Mother and Child Hospital intervened, supported by prayers from a group of pastors, that the ring could finally be cut off.
- Rapist falls deeply asleep at a crime scene
A 36-year-old mechanic, identified as Akwasi Owusu was arrested while deeply asleep at the place where he defiled a nine-year-old daughter of his neighbour.
The suspect dragged his helpless victim into an uncompleted building at gunpoint and forcibly had sexual intercourse with her.
According to the prosecution, the man, after satisfying his sexual desire, fell asleep.
It said the victim took advantage of that and fled from the place to inform her mother of her ordeal.
The prosecution said, the mother reported the matter to the police and the victim led the police to the scene where the convict was found deeply asleep.
He was arrested and taken to the police station.
The Asante Bekwai Circuit Court later sentenced him to 18 years in prison.
- Convict chases judge in courtroom after sentencing
Drama unfolded in an Accra Circuit court in September 2023 when a businessman, Frank Kwesi Obeng, confronted the judge after being handed a 15-year prison sentence for charges of conspiracy to steal, abetment of crime, and money laundering.
As the verdict was delivered, Obeng immediately questioned the judge, saying, “Please, do you know me somewhere? Why have you given me a 15-year jail term?”
He then proceeded to remove his shirt and aggressively approached the judge.
The situation, however, was quickly diffused by the intervention of the prosecutor and a court warrant officer, who escorted Judge Evelyn Asamoah to her chambers.
Obeng was then escorted out of the courtroom without his shirt and sandals.
- Angry youth assault corpse at New Abirem
The incident occurred on Wednesday, November 8, 2023, following a reported misunderstanding between the youth and the deceased’s family.
According to some youth in the town, Malik was involved in money rituals, commonly known as Sakawa, and various other crimes in the area.
In a disturbing act captured on video, the coffin with the inscription “Holy Bible” was forcefully knocked to the ground, and the corpse was mercilessly lashed by the angry mob.
The coffin lay destroyed as the lifeless body was subjected to assault.
- Man killed by collapsed building while chasing ‘noisy’ bird
In December 2023, a 59-year-old man, Peter Owusu, was crushed to death by a collapsed building at Kasoa Opeikuma in the Central Region.
He was reportedly chasing away a bird that continuously made noise at his residence from 11:00 pm to 4:00 am, disturbing his sleep.
Frustrated with the situation, Mr Owusu stepped out to pursue the bird.
It flew away but returned after about 10 minutes.
After several attempts to sack the bird failed, Mr Owusu climbed the building. While trying to reach the bird, the building collapsed and crushed him.
He was rushed to the Kasoa Mother and Child Hospital but was pronounced dead upon arrival.
- ‘Angry gods’ burn woman’s belongings for alleged disobedience
In another bizarre incident, the belongings of a 50-year-old woman were allegedly razed by her angry household gods at Bibiani in December 2023.
This came after 15 people were left homeless when their houses were mysteriously set ablaze, believed to be the wrath of the same gods a few months prior.
According to the family, spiritual consultations with members and tenants revealed offences against the gods, resulting in the continuous burning of their belongings, including money.
The family and tenants were advised to vacate the premises until the mysterious burning ceased.
However, the 50-year-old woman, aware of the ongoing events, intentionally sent her husband and son to fetch firewood from the house.
This act, according to the priests triggered the gods’ anger, leading to the burning of her belongings.