Cape Coast, June 20, GNA - A 24-year old scrap dealer in Cape Coast, who allegedly stole 45 cannonballs on display at the Cape Coast castle, was on Friday granted GH¢500 bail by a circuit court in Cape Coast. Kofi Thompson, the accused, pleaded not guilty and will re-appear on Friday July 11, 2008. Prosecuting, Chief Inspector Hope Azasoo said on June 17, 2008, authorities of the Ghana Museums and Monuments Board (GMMB) at the Cape Coast Castle detected that 45 cannonballs displayed for tourists at the castle were missing. He said they conducted their own investigations and had a tip-off that, Thompson was seen carrying one of the cannonballs around the vicinity of the castle.

Chief Inspector Azasoo said the authorities of the GMMB went to Thompson's house as a result and found all the missing 45 cannon balls in his room, with a piece of cloth covering them. He said Thompson denied stealing them and claimed that he had bought them from someone, but could not identify or provide the name or whereabouts of the said seller. He therefore arrested and put before the court.