Muslim leaders have expressed worry over various sex scandals that have hit the Tamale metropolis in recent times, some of which are heart-rending and mind-blowing. At least three mentally-ill women in the metropolis have been impregnated by unidentified males, with various connotations and denotations as to why this phenomenon is suddenly rearing its ugly head. Sheikh See-d Abubakari, the spiritual leader of the Ambarriya Muslim Community in the metropolis, has expressed grave worry over the trend and condemned it as a "great sin for anyone to have sexual relations with a mad woman". He noted that the unfortunate incidents have put family members of the victims under severe strain as they find it extremely difficult to handle the complex situation of caring for a deranged pregnant woman and the baby if it is finally delivered. Spectator investigations have revealed that many families with mentally-ill women have resorted to confining them to the home for fear they might fall prey to unscrupulous men who might rape them for ritual purposes. Many residents the Spectator spoke to suspect that the phenomenon can be linked to the get-rich or "sakawa" rituals that have gained currency in the entire country lately. To them, many of those who engage in those barbaric acts are influenced by soothsayers and necromancers who prescribe all forms of rituals for their get-rich-quick clients. Muntari Alidu, a resident, told the Spectator that it is the belief of some inhabitants that if one "sleeps" with a mentally-ill woman, he will be rich in no time. Others also entertain the belief that for one to escape harm from witchcraft one has to copulate with a mad woman. Sheikh See-d, in condemning the practice, urged all religious leaders to rise and fight against this horrendous trend because "it could invocate God's punishment on all the people". He warned those who are pre-occupied with similar wicked acts to stop since Allah would punish them severely. Sheikh See-d reminded those greedy minds that no human being can make his fellow being rich or poor, and that it was important for people to trust in their creator. The Imam said the only way to be rich was to work hard. He advised the youth to seek to be educated or engage in lawful ventures that would be profitable to them and society at large. He took the opportunity to also condemn what some youth in the metropolis were reportedly doing at night. According to him, reports have reached him that they often engaged in open sex within the Tamale market area at night, a very abominable sin by all standards. Mr Jacob Achilow, Northern Regional Director of Social Welfare Department, said he had heard reports on the issue but no official complaint has been made to his outfit about the pregnant women. He has therefore directed the Tamale Metropolitan office of Social Welfare Department to investigate the matter in order to address the issue. Mr Achilow lamented that many residents in the area were ignorant about the functions of the department and therefore found it difficult to report such matter to them. He therefore, appealed to the media and other stakeholders to help educate the public as to where to report matters of this nature for immediate redress. Source: Spectator