A ONE-year and six months old boy has died suddenly after eating a meal that was served to his grandfather at a funeral in Obuasi, in the Ashanti Region.
Kwadwo Sam, the grandfather, was served the food when he attended funeral rites at a school in Obuasi on Saturday, but he did not eat the food. The grandfather rather sent the food home and gave it to his grandson, who after eating the food suffered serious stomach pains, leading to his sudden demise.
It has been gathered that nine other people that ate the same food during the funeral rites also developed stomach pains and they have since been hospitalised.
DSP Martin Asenso, the Obuasi Police Commander, who confirmed the report, disclosed that the police are currently investigating a potential food poisoning case.
According to him, Kwadwo Sam reported to the police that his grandson has been hospitalised after he ate food that was served to him (Kwadwo Sam) at a funeral.
The police then proceeded to the hospital to check on the boy but unfortunately the little boy had sadly passed on, sparking fears that he ate poisoned food.
DSP Asenso said Kwadwo Sam was arrested and granted bail for breaching COVID-19 protocol by attending funeral rites even though funerals have been banned.
He said the police has also apprehended the caterer, who cooked the food for the mourners at the funeral, to help assist in the investigations.
According to him, the nine people that have been hospitalised for eating the supposed contaminated food at the funeral, would be arrested whenever they recover fully.
DSP Asenso noted that the family head who organised the funeral and all those that attended the funeral, despite a ban on funerals, were also being chased by police.
He also said the Roman Father in charge of the school, venue of the funeral, would also be arrested for allowing the funeral to take place there.
FROM I.F. Joe Awuah Jnr., Kumasi