Some residents in the Ashanti region have expressed mixed reactions to the 2021 Public Safety and Crime report.

The report described the region as the "murder region", having recorded 200 murder cases in the year under review.

According to the Bureau of Public Safety, the Ashanti region recorded 23 percent of all homicide cases reported across the country in 2021.

The report again revealed more than 80 percent of these cases occurred outside the homes of the victims.

These included; roads and highways, offices, places of worship amongst others.

In an interview with LuvNews, some residents recounted some horrifying cases of violence within their vicinities.

Agya Manu (not his real name), who resides at Ayigya, said “just yesterday, someone was robbed of his phone here. The robbers pointed a dagger at him and forced him to bring out all items he had on him. He was stabbed in the process.”

Some women in the region are the most worried over the surging homicidal cases. Princess Maame, a petty trader at Top High near Tech Junction, said she has to rush home when it is dusk.

“We the women are more afraid. We can’t walk home alone at night. I quickly rush home after work,” she said.

Meanwhile, other residents believe the region is too tranquil to be described in those terms.

Kofi, a cobbler, said “I’m not scared, because the region hasn’t recorded any murder cases I know. It’s peaceful here”.

Another resident, Ebony, indicated that she is yet to witness any murder case since she came to the region some 30 years ago.

“I’ve not witnessed any murder case in the region before,” she said.

Some residents suggested some measures that could be employed to reduce the statistics.

Kwame Agyei, a barber, advised people to stay vigilant when they leave their homes.

“People have to be vigilant, especially the times they leave home for other places. If it’s night they have to be more careful,” he said.

Kwesi Addai, who is worried that he can no longer reach out to strangers, suggests an increase in security personnel.

“I am scared to speak with strangers because you can’t tell what they can do to you. The government should recruit more people into the security services if they aren’t enough,” he said.