87-Year-Old man sentenced to 20 Years in prison for defiling nine-year-old girl
Story by: Regina Bless
An 87-year-old man has been sentenced to 20 years’ imprisonment with hard labour after being convicted of defiling a nine-year-old girl at Ofankor, a suburb of Accra.
According to a press release issued by the Ghana Police Service’s Accra Regional Public Affairs Unit on October 12, 2026, the accused, identified as Yaw Gahornu, was convicted by the Gender-Based Violence Court at the Domestic Violence and Victim Support Unit (DOVVSU) headquarters.
The case was handled by the Tesano Divisional Police Command following investigations into allegations of sexual abuse involving the child.
Police Investigations Reveal Details of the Case
The police statement indicated that on August 29, 2026, the complainant returned from work and noticed bloodstains on the clothing of her nine-year-old daughter.
When questioned, the child reportedly identified the accused, Yaw Gahornu, as the person responsible for the abuse. Preliminary investigations indicated that the alleged offences occurred between July and August 2026 and involved repeated sexual abuse.
Further investigations revealed that the suspect had allegedly lured the child to his sleeping quarters and threatened to harm her if she disclosed the abuse to her mother.
On August 31, 2026, the alleged abuse was reportedly witnessed by the accused’s granddaughter, who subsequently informed family members, including the complainant. The matter was then reported to the police for investigation and appropriate action.
Court Convicts Accused
Following investigations, Yaw Gahornu was charged and arraigned before the Gender-Based Violence Court at DOVVSU headquarters.
The court found him guilty of defilement and sentenced him to 20 years’ imprisonment with hard labour.
The sentence underscores the legal consequences of sexual offences against children and the importance of reporting suspected cases to the appropriate authorities.
Police Reaffirm Commitment to Child Protection
The Accra Regional Police Command welcomed the court’s decision and reiterated its commitment to protecting children and other vulnerable persons from abuse.
The Command urged members of the public to promptly report suspected cases of child abuse to the police to facilitate investigations and ensure that appropriate legal action is taken.
The Ghana Police Service continues to encourage public cooperation in the fight against sexual abuse and other offences affecting children, emphasising the importance of protecting victims and ensuring that perpetrators are brought before the law.
Source: Ghana Police Service, Accra Regional Public Affairs Unit, press release dated October 12, 2026.