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Former Head of Monitoring of the Forestry Commission, Charles Owusu says the Western Regional Minister, Kwabena Okyere Darko-Mensah meant well with his statements regarding the alleged kidnapped but found pregnant woman.

Mrs. Josephine Panyin Mensah is said to have gone missing from Takoradi in the Western Region and recently found in Axim looking traumatized.

Following interrogations, she revealed her being kidnapped and also disclosed she was pregnant before her disappearance.

However, upon her return, she shows no baby bump nor her child with her. 

According to further reports, she claims she was among other pregnant women who were killed by her kidnappers but she survived.

Immediately after her claims were made public, the Regional Minister issued a counter-statement saying the woman's story is fake.

“From their preliminary investigations, NIB suspects that this whole story was fake and that the medical doctor who has even looked at her revealed she wasn’t pregnant. That is the immediate information that we have. The police are still with her,” he said.

The Minister has since attracted the anger of Mrs.  Josephine Panyin Mensah's family and friends who earnestly believe she was pregnant.

Some residents in Takoradi including her relatives have invoked curses on any person refuting her claims.

" . . this shows there's no truth in this country. My daughter was really pregnant. It's even surprising how authorities are focusing on whether or not she was pregnant and not on the fact that she was kidnapped. I swear on everything I hold sacred that my daughter was pregnant and anyone who thinks my daughter wasn't should be struck by lightning and may they never have success," her father insisted.

But to Charles Owusu, the Minister had a good reason for his statements, so called on those slamming him to tone down.

"He's a humble person. I know his character; he doesn't talk anyhow. I believe before he made his comments, he had been briefed by the Police or security agencies. It wasn't badly intended but for a good cause," he told host Nana Yaw Kesseh on Peace FM's 'Kokrokoo'.