The Somanya District Police Command has arrested fourteen (14) people for performing puberty rite known traditionally as “Dipo” in contravention of the ban on public gathering.
The suspects were arrested on Saturday, May 2, 2020, at Sawer a suburb of Somanya in the Eastern Region. The suspects are Leaders, parents, and their children.
According to the Somanya District Police Commander, DSP Isaac Kojo Otsin, Police received a tip-off that, some residents of Sawer, a suburb of Somanya, have gathered in a house performing puberty rites known as dip, a gathering which is against the president’s restriction imposed on public gathering.
Police proceeded to the venue and arrested the organizers and participants of the traditional ritual.
All the suspects have been cautioned, charged, and granted court bail to appear before Somanya District Magistrate Court on Monday.
Some residents lamented that, the Coronavirus pandemic which has triggered the imposition of restriction on public gathering will, therefore, disrupt this year’s spiritual exercise since it is a very prominent cultural practice mostly held between April and May for dozen of teenage Krobo girls every girl.
According to them, the rite help 
prevents teenage pregnancy and sexual promiscuity until they married.
In conclusion, they said most girls will be a victim of unwanted pregnancy this year because of the ban on social gathering.
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