Residents of Wa in the Upper West Region have expressed relief and satisfaction following the sentencing of convicted serial killer Shariff Abdulai by the Wa High Court, describing the ruling as a significant step toward restoring public safety and justice in the region.
For several years, the Wa Municipality and surrounding communities lived under the shadow of fear due to a series of killings that unsettled residents and heightened security concerns. The court’s decision, delivered on Wednesday, March 4, 2026, has therefore been widely welcomed by members of the public, who say it signals accountability and offers closure to a traumatised community.
Speaking after the ruling, resident Jacob Maali termed the judgment a major relief for the people of Wa, particularly those in communities most affected by the incidents.
“I’m glad for the ruling that the Judicial Service delivered through this case yesterday. It is a big relief for the lives of the people, especially residents in Wa. This has been happening for years, and many people have been advocating for justice to be served to the perpetrators,” he said.
While commending the security agencies and the judiciary for their role in investigating and prosecuting the case, Mr Maali stressed the need for further inquiries to establish whether the convict acted alone.
“We will still be glad if further investigations are done to know whether he acted alone or if there are other people linked to the issue. As citizens, we must be each other’s keepers so that we work together to ensure that we are all safe. When something happens to one person, and we ignore it, the next time it could be another person,” he cautioned.
Another resident, Lillian Asiedu, said the sentence has lifted the climate of fear that gripped many residents, particularly women and individuals who often moved around alone.
“I’m happy they have sentenced the suspect because there was a lot of fear among us. Even moving around was frightening. If you took a step and there were no people around, you would feel afraid that the killers might be somewhere watching you. Any suspect who might think of doing such things now will fear,” she stated.
For Clement Kajatanga, the ruling underscores the importance of justice and the rule of law in safeguarding society. He noted that the killings had caused widespread psychological distress across the Upper West Region.
“Every rational human being in the Upper West Region will be very happy about the judgment the judge passed,” he said. “For the past years, the whole region has been traumatised by the killings. Anytime you are travelling or going somewhere, you are not even sure whether you are safe.”
