Madam Millicent Dadebo, mother of the late Gloria Awatey, whose death the family suspects involved foul play, has renewed her call for a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident at Adawso in the Eastern Region.
In an interview with the Ghana News Agency (GNA) at Dodowa, Madam Dadebo recounted events leading to her daughter’s death and expressed concern over the manner in which the case had been handled.
She said on Thursday, January 8, 2026, she was at the market when Gloria called her. During their brief conversation, Gloria, a seamstress, mentioned that she was exhausted after spending the day working on clients’ sewing orders and intended to rest.
Gloria also informed her that Ernest Klonu, whom she described as her partner, had tried reaching her on the phone without success.
“Ernest later called me, and we spoke,” she said.
Madam Dadebo said later that night, at about 2300 hours, she received a distress call that Gloria had been found foaming at the mouth in her room. A young man known in the community as “Teacher” reportedly heard Gloria shouting before she collapsed.
Some residents who rushed to the scene suspected poisoning and administered palm oil in an attempt to neutralise the suspected substance.
Gloria was rushed to a nearby clinic but was pronounced dead shortly after arrival.
“When I got there, I was told that my daughter had died,” she said, adding that the family was later informed that a post-mortem examination would be conducted to determine the cause of death.
She alleged that before the autopsy, Gloria’s seven-year-old daughter told relatives that she had seen her father mixing a concoction, which he allegedly forced Gloria to consume before leaving.
However, the suspect denied the allegation, insisting he was not present at the time of the incident.
According to Madam Dadebo, the family had expected a briefing on the autopsy findings as initially indicated by medical personnel.
“The doctor told us that when the autopsy report was ready, both families would be called and informed about the findings,” she said.
She alleged, however, that the report was instead handed directly to the police without the knowledge of Gloria’s family.
She said that during a visit to the court to follow up on the matter, she and other relatives were asked to wait outside.
“We were asked to stand at the entrance for some time, but later I was asked to leave because my one-year-old grandchild was crying,” she said.
She added that the suspect and his family had secured legal representation and were later granted bail after an autopsy reportedly found no poisonous substance.
“We have not been shown the report, and we are not privy to its details,” she said.
Madam Dadebo also alleged that prior to her death, Gloria had told her that Ernest had threatened to kill her, either by burning her or poisoning her.
She said she advised Gloria to report the matter to the police, which she did.
She added that she later asked Gloria to stay with her, but Ernest visited to plead that Gloria be allowed to return with him.
“I initially refused but later agreed after cautioning him not to repeat what had been happening,” she said.
The deceased left behind three children, who are currently being cared for by various family members, with the youngest staying with Madam Dadebo.
“The baby cries constantly and hardly eats. Ernest and his family only gave me GH¢100 to buy food for the children,” she said.
She has therefore appealed to the Ghana Police Service, particularly the Inspector-General of Police, to ensure a transparent and thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding her daughter’s death.
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