A Ghanaian actor, Emmanuel Nii Adom Quaye, popularly known as Strika, has reportedly been sentenced to prison after being accused of cutting the metal bars from the footbridge at Kwashiman, Accra.
The incident drew attention online following the circulation of a video showing residents confronting the actor, who was cutting the metal bars. It has since been alleged that he intended to sell them as scrap.
Following his arrest, he appeared before a court. However, there are conflicting reports about the length of his sentence, with some reports indicating a one-year sentence while others report seven years.
The actor has confirmed that he has received a one-year prison sentence and is due to be transferred to Nsawam Prison on Monday, 14th September, to begin serving.
Many people have weighed in on the matter, including DJ Slim, who stated that justice must be served regardless.
“He’s a thief; we should ensure he’s placed in the state correctional facilities and receives appropriate treatment, he said.
While some members of the public have commended the authorities for sentencing him to seven years, others are pleading with the Accra High Court to reduce the sentence for the actor.
Since his early success, however, Strika has reportedly faced several personal and financial difficulties and has taken on different jobs, including working as a security guard. His recent situation has renewed public discussion about the challenges faced by child actors after their early fame fades, with some people calling for support and rehabilitation rather than condemnation.
Strika became a familiar face to international audiences after starring in the 2015 film Beasts of No Nation, where he played a young child soldier. The Ghanaian actor featured alongside Idris Elba and Abraham Attah, and his performance brought him international recognition at a young age.
Strika’s journey has taken a difficult turn from international movie fame to a court case over the alleged removal of footbridge railings.
While the exact prison sentence remains unclear because of conflicting reports, the case has drawn attention to both accountability and the need to support people facing difficult circumstances after early success.
