Article #27 in the YCC Kids Club Ghana Student Life Stories Project
The Day I Will Never Forget: Prison
By Marvel, Age 13
As the only child of my parents, I have been lucky that my family has tried to fulfill everything I have requested of them. I am therefore a happy child. However, on December tenth, 2007, there was a day that I will never forget in my life: a day when I felt very sad.
We were on vacation, so when I got up from bed, I took my breakfast, said goodbye to my parents, and went straight to my friend Kofi Mensah’s house. We had planned already to play football on our school park with some other friends. Kofi was washing his school uniforms, so his father offered me a seat in his sibling’s room.
When Kofi finished washing, we went to the game venue. We were a shade late, so when we got there our friends had already dressed up and were waiting for us. The match kicked off at ten in the morning.
Twenty minutes into the game, Kofi’s father sent a boy to call us. When we arrived back in his house, Mr. Badu said that a large sum of money was missing from his house, and he suspected that we had taken it. We repeated that we could not do such a thing, but Mr. Badu was so furious that he took us to the police station. Over there, he asked them to beat us with a cane until we said the truth.
What saddened me most was that the policeman actually did give us fifteen cane strokes. He beat us hard on our backs, and never even asked us anything. After that, the police put us in the cells. The room was so dark and stinking that breathing was very difficult for us.
When my parents got wind of our plight, it was an awful shock for them, because they knew I had never stolen as much as one pesewa before. They hurriedly came to pay the bail money, and we were released from the cells.
While my parents were deliberating about the issue in the evening, Kofi’s father, Mr. Badu, and his brothers came in. What was their mission? They had come to apologize because they had found the money and thus it was not us who had taken it at all.
My parents did not utter a word until they we shamefully arrived back home. In fact, on that day I became very sad. I am NOT a thief, and I never will be!
Nowadays, Ghanaian police are less frequently abusing citizens like that because our new president is cracking down on police corruption. However, I will never in my life forget that awful day I spent in jail, wrongfully accused!
Lillie’s Note: Please leave Marvel a comment on his powerful article, stating your geographical location!
Emily G. says
Hi Marvel,
It was very wrong for the policeman to hit you just because Mr. Badu accused you of something you didn’t do! It seems very scary to me that you can be put in jail and punished, without any proof you are guilty of a crime. Mr. Badu should be punished for making a false accusation. I hope you and Kofi are feeling better!
Best,
Emily G.
Boston, MA
USA
Marvel Zerub says
That was a nice story and experience I had writing that story few years ago eventhough it was hard to bear.Thanks for all comments.Good Old Days!
Lillie says
Great to hear from you, Marvel! I hope all is well!
marvel zerub says
Yes I’m Good Madam Lillie.Still trusting the Lord.
Lillie says
Glad to hear you’re doing well! Send my best to everyone!
marvel zerub says
Ok.I will tell them you sent your regards.Best wishes!
Dylan L. says
This is very sad and thank you for sharing. I hope that you and your family have recovered fully from this. It is so shocking to read.
Tim says
Very sad story and not fair that your word meant nothing. I am glad there has been improvement with the police in such matters. Thanks for sharing your story with us. :-)
Currently in: The Republic of Kosovo in the Balkans (formerly part of Serbia)
James Gabriel says
I can’t believe that he was accused for stealing something he did not steal. I am shocked that the police didn’t ask any questions and that they beat him 15 times. I am glad that the new president is better. Does the rule you are innocent until proven guilty apply in Ghana?
Caitlin says
Wow. I can’t believe the police just started hitting you off the bat without any evidence of some sort. They also should have asked questions. I feel so awful that you had to be put through all of that. You seem like a really nice person and I would never suspect you as a thief. Well, at least they found out the truth and your name was cleared. This was a very moving story!
Deborah says
That’ so mean! How could Kofi’s father do that he should’ve made sure that the money wasn’t their for sure but he can’t accuse two innocent kids and one of them was his own son! I’m glad that the law is better there because I really feel bad for Marvel and Kofi because they didn’t due anything and got beaten by a cane fifteen times!!! I hope he and any other innocent people won’t get convicted of a crime and suffer that way because it would just be too painful and only the real suspect deserves that.
Malaysia S. says
That is very unfair. Did your friend’s father even have any sort of evidence? He shouldn’t have just accused you two right off the bat. That shows how much he trusts his son.
Leslie B. says
Wow this is a scary experience. Marvel is a brave person. I can’t imagine being whipped 15 times with a cane. Nice Job writing this story though it catches the reader’s attention.
steph zizi says
Going to prison is a horrible experience. I never went inside a prison cell or even go to prison before, but i can tell that this is not the best place you want to go to.
Jillian says
wow. This is so shocking to me. It really shows how different Ghana is from the USA. It makes me feel lucky that I do not get beaten for anything, no matter how bad it is. I feel very bad for this child, and am happy that it was a positive outcome! :)
Joshua Sanchez says
This is a story almost like the one that I had to write for my english paper. I too once had to be detained by the police for crime i did not commit and i really think that law enforcement really needs to get hard evidence before taking any actions that may turn out to be uneccecary. i really feel for this kid
Amtooj says
This shows how you should never be at the wrong place and at the wrong time. But then again if you don’t know you should be careful. Is whipping kids with canes legal in Ghana?
Xiu Na says
I don’t understand why policemen would cane kids for something they think the kids did without evidence.
chris says
Hello Ms. Marshall,
i think this story is very sad because Marvel was caned for no reason. Marvel you are a brave boy!
Daniel says
Hi Ms Marshall! I think this story is very moving because people are accused when they do don’t do anything.
Victoria Fortune says
Marvel,
I am so sorry that you were accused and beaten for something that you did not do! That is not fair. You were put in a cell without any evidence to prove you stole money. That is so cruel what Kofi’s father did, and what the police officers did. I am glad that Ghanaian police are less frequently abusing citizens!
Stephanie says
Hello Ms. Marshall,
It’s unfair how they were sent to the police even though they didn’t do anything. Mr. Badu should have at least checke for the money before he sent them to jail to be beaten. Other than just apologize, Mr. Badu could have done something to make it up to them –even though there’s not much that could make him feel better after that–.
Huabao says
Hi Ms. Marshall,
How could they do that to an innocent kid? The police never asked any questions and just start hitting them with the cane. I felt sorry for him, it was supposed to be a happy day but it’s ruined. Mr. Badu only said sorry, what ever he said, it’s too late. Why didn’t he check before he brought them to the police? It’s good that the new president is a lot better.
Alissa says
Hi Ms. Marshall!
Wow! I cannot believe he was accused of stealing money when he and his friend were innocent. That is not fair at all. From this, they were even beaten with a cane 15 times!!!! I am so glad that the new president is a lot better now. You are supposed to be innocent until proven guilty…doesn’t this rule apply in Ghana too? Anyways, I thought that this was an amazing story!!
Phil says
Hey Marvel,
Being wrongfully accused of something is an awful feeling. At the end of the day, you can be thankful that there was a positive resolution. How terrible it would have been if the money had not been found! Your story was well-written and an interesting read – I look forward to more. Be well, Phil
Rebecca says
Hello Marvel. Your article about your experience being imprisoned and beaten on a false charge of robbery was very moving and painful to read. Thank you for sharing your story with us and helping us understand the cruel effect of the corrupt Ghanaian police upon your society. I come from USA, where unfortunately poor black men are also sometimes subjected to police brutality.
Imported Blogger Comments says
Gareth said…
This is such a moving story. Thank you so much for sharing this with me.
Gareth,
Boston, MA, USA
March 22, 2010 10:05 PM
Drew said…
Marvel, you are a brave young man. Be the standard-bearer for peace in your community!
Drew Jones
Wilmington, North Carolina
USA
March 23, 2010 12:28 AM
Dana said…
In the United States we say “Honesty is the best policy.” Good for you, Marvel, for holding to that important principle, despite your terrible experience!
Dana Grossman
Vermont, USA
March 25, 2010 1:36 PM
Julianna said…
Marvel: First of all, I love your name, and I believe it is quite fitting. I am sorry you had to endure such a difficult experience, but I am so impressed that you have such a mature perspective! Despite the sadness you describe, it is great to see that your story has two happy endings: 1) the police are no longer as brutal and corrupt and 2) you are still honest and loving after a difficult experience. Best of luck, wealth and happiness to you!
Julianna Coco
Los Angeles, CA USA
March 27, 2010 12:48 AM
Luddy Sr. said…
Marvel,
Being falsely accused of a crime is a very helpless and frustrating feeling. Even though you proclaimed your innocence nobody believed you and the punishment continued. Thank goodness that the money was found and those who wrongly accused you came forward with it. Imagine if it hadn’t been. This horrible situation could have been even worse.
I’m sure anybody who knows you now would never make that same mistake again.
Thanks for sharing your story.
-Kwabla (Connecticut, USA)
March 28, 2010 9:20 AM
thanhnhan said…
Marvel, I ‘m from Viet Nam, and I wish one day I also join in a Non – government organization to go to other LDCs to understand more about life in poor countries. I like the way you make friend with the young generation in those countries and I try to learn from you!
March 30, 2010 4:13 PM