Mother and Six Children Killed in Central Region Fire Laid to Rest
Entire family buried in single grave after a fire believed to have been deliberately set by the father, sparking deep mourning in Akyempim.
- Mother and six children killed in a fire in Akyempim, Central Region, allegedly set by their father
- All victims buried in a single grave, most in body bags due to the severity of burns
- Suspected arson linked to marital feud, with the father reportedly committing suicide after the tragedy
A grieving community in Akyempim, Upper Denkyira East Municipality, Central Region, laid to rest a mother and her six children in a single grave following a devastating fire that claimed their lives on November 1, 2025.
The victims, believed to have died in a fire allegedly set by their father and husband, included Ama Dapaah, 39, and her children: Maame Yaa, 18; Kwabi, 15; Kwame Rasteo, 13; Isaac Charteng Afriyie, 6; Abigail Anima Afriyie, 4; and Kwadwo, 7 months. Except for Dapaah, all other victims were buried in body bags due to the severity of the fire.
The burial ceremony on Tuesday, November 11, saw residents of Akyempim overwhelmed with grief as they mourned the tragic loss of the entire family.
The Ghana National Fire Service reported that its Dunkwa-on-Offin station responded to a distress call around 1 a.m. on the day of the fire. However, the team could not access the building immediately as the entrance was locked. By the time firefighters gained entry, all seven victims had been burnt beyond recognition.
Suspicion of arson was heightened when the remains of the family’s father, Yaw Afriyie, widely known as “Batman,” were found in a nearby bush. Authorities believe he committed suicide, and some community members suspect the tragedy stemmed from a marital dispute between Afriyie and Ama Dapaah.
