The Sunyani West Municipality has been gripped by fear and anxiety following the sudden, mysterious death of the headmistress of the Kobedi AME Zion Basic School, Madam Gladys Dorlo Batinge—an unfolding tragedy that has forced a week-long suspension of all academic activities.

Adom News Bono Regional Correspondent Christian Ofori Kumah reported on Friday, May 22, 2026, that the farming community's anxieties have rapidly escalated into outright terror.

This is because Madam Gladys’ unexpected demise followed a hauntingly similar pattern to the tragic passing of her immediate predecessor.

In a bizarre timeline that has left residents reeling, Madam Gladys was brought in as the direct replacement for the previous headmaster, who died under unusual circumstances in September 2025. Shockingly, shortly after being posted to the school to restore administrative stability, she also passed away in April 2026.

Breaking her silence on the tragedy, the Queen Mother of Kobedi, a prominent agricultural community near Chiraa in the Bono Region, Nana Ameyaa Ansu Gyeabour, has disclosed the unsettling details that led to the emergency closure of the institution, pending mandatory cleansing rituals by traditional authorities to prevent further loss of life.

The Queen Mother revealed that a section of the community strongly believes the dual deaths are not a coincidence but are tied to a potent spiritual curse.

The curse was allegedly invoked by a native associated with the Nzor community, who reportedly targeted the school's leadership over bitter allegations of financial extortion involving certain school authorities.

Addressing the media, the Queen Mother stated that the local traditional council has taken the matter very seriously and is actively working behind the scenes to perform the necessary customary rites, resolve the underlying disputes, and restore absolute calm so that children can safely return to school.

While the traditional authorities scramble to manage the crisis, the Krotihene of Kobedi, Nana Korang Amoah Asimpi, has expressed deep dissatisfaction with the subsequent media coverage surrounding the school's closure.

The chief fiercely criticised what he described as inaccurate, unverified, and highly misleading media reports that have circulated since the headmistress's passing, which he claims have severely exacerbated the panic within the community.

Nana Korang Amoah Asimpi issued a strong caution to journalists and mainstream media houses, urging them to strictly observe professional ethics and painstakingly verify their facts from the traditional council before publishing sensational stories capable of inciting fear and misunderstanding in an already traumatised community.

In the wake of the closure, district education authorities are expected to meet with the Kobedi Traditional Council this week to assess the psychological readiness of the surviving teachers and coordinate a permanent, safe reopening of the school.