News
Daughter exposes father for defiling step-daughter
The rate at which some fathers are accused of either engaging in sex with their biological daughters or step-daughters is quite alarming.
This abominable act is gaining currency in the country and should be nipped in the bud.
As of now, a 43-year-old unemployed, Mr. KwawErmerlehAgovi, a resident of Ofankor in Accra is being tried by the Accra Circuit Court “5” for allegedly defiling his eight-year-old step daughter.
The accused who mounted the dock on Monday charged with defilement contrary to section 101 (2) of Criminal Offences Act 1960, Act 29, however, denied the offence.
The Presiding Judge, Mrs. Christina Cann granted him GH¢60,000.00 bail with three sureties, two of whom should be Public or Civil Servants and earning not less than GH¢3,000.00 a month.
She adjourned the case to June 14, 2021, for Case Management Conference (CMC), but ordered the accused to stay away from the victim, who is presently staying with her aunty at Tantra Hill.
Paradoxically, it was an 18-year old biological daughter of the accused who reported the immoral conduct of her father to the Domestic Violence and Victim Support Unit (DOVVSU) of the Ghana Police Service at Tesano leading to his arrest.
Relating the circumstances or facts of the matter to the court, the prosecutor, Chief Inspector Kofi Atimbire, said that Mr. Agovi with his biological daughter and the step daughter (Victim) lived in a three-bedroom apartment but each had a separate room.
He said that the accused had been sneaking into the room of the eight-year-old victim anytime she was alone to have sex with her.
This, according to the prosecutor, became unbearable to the small girl until the complainant (accused’s daughter) saw her step sister crying at about 5:00am on April 24, 2021, and decided to find out the cause.
He said that the victim confided in the complainant that the accused had been engaging in sexual intercourse with her.
Chief Inspector Atimbire said that armed with this piece of information, the 18-year-old daughter of the accused devised means of monitoring her father to be cock sure that the allegation levelled against him was true or otherwise.
He told the court that in the course of monitoring, the complainant detected that her father (accused) had been sneaking into the victim’s room at night.
He said that on April 29, 2021, at about 12:00 midnight Mr. Agovi as usual, sneaked into the victim’s room, undressed himself and the victim, and was preparing to lie on her when the complainant rushed into the room and caught her father red handed.
The prosecutor said that the accused threatened to kill the
complainant if she revealed his conduct to either anyone or to the
police.
And for the fear of her father’s death threat, the complainant ran away from home and reported the issue to DOVVSU for action to be taken.
Chief Inspector Atimbire said that the accused was later arrested and put before court after police investigation and receipt of the victim’s medical report from the hospital.
The case continues on Monday, June 14, 2021.
By Castro Zangina-Tong
The state has closed its case in the Republic v Akonta Mining and two others.
The case was heard earlier today at the Accra Criminal Court, where state prosecutors and CID investigators from the Ghana Police Service closed the Republic’s case.
In all, the prosecution called three witnesses to prove its case, two former employees of Akonta Mining Company Limited and a detective from the Ghana Police Service.
According to an update on the case, the two former employees testified to Mr Bernard Antwi-Boasiako’s deep involvement in Akonta Mining Company’s alleged illegal mining activities in the Tano-Nimiri Forest Reserve.
The police detective tendered in evidence drone footage and other audio-visual materials and official communications in support of the testimonies of the two former Akonta Mining employees.
The accused persons, through cross-examination of the witnesses, sought to dissociate themselves from every mining activity in the Tano-Nimiri Forest Reserve.
At the close of the prosecution’s case, counsel for the accused persons asked the court to allow him to call the first prosecution witness back into the witness box for further cross-examination.
The court gave him up to Friday, October 30, to file a formal motion to recall the witnesses.
The case has been adjourned to November 4 for the motion to be heard.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
Dr Palgrave Boakye-Danquah, spokesperson to NPP Ashanti Regional Chairman Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, has called on the government and Parliament to undertake major reforms in Ghana’s prison system, including the construction of a dedicated prison hospital and the introduction of regulated conjugal visits.
In a press statement issued on Tuesday, October 27, 2026, Dr Boakye-Danquah shared Chairman Wontumi’s observations and recommendations following his remand on July 20, 2026.
According to the statement, Chairman Wontumi’s experience in prison has given him the opportunity to interact with prison officers and inmates and observe the challenges facing the Ghana Prisons Service.
The statement noted that the NPP chairman believes the correctional system must move beyond punishment to focus on rehabilitation, welfare and productivity.
One of his major concerns is the lack of dedicated, well-equipped prison hospitals, ambulances and standby generators in several prison facilities.
Dr Boakye-Danquah said Chairman Wontumi had raised concerns about the difficulties in providing medical care to seriously ill inmates, including those suffering from tuberculosis.
He is therefore calling for the construction of a modern prison hospital to serve facilities across the country. In the interim, he has proposed emergency arrangements with the 37 Military Hospital and the Police Hospital.
On the welfare of prison officers, Chairman Wontumi has urged the government to review their salaries, accommodation and conditions of service.
He has also called for proper classification of inmates, arguing that minor offenders should not be housed alongside armed robbery convicts and that persons facing trial for serious offences, including treason and terrorism, should be appropriately separated from other inmates.
The statement further highlighted concerns about the need for counselling and behavioural support for young inmates, particularly those serving sentences for defilement-related offences.
Chairman Wontumi has also called for a clear policy on the classification and management of LGBTQI+ inmates within the prison system.
On family relationships, he has proposed the creation of designated private areas where prisoners can receive visits from their spouses and children.
He believes regulated conjugal visits could help preserve marriages, reduce tension among inmates and support rehabilitation.
“The prisoner is the one in prison, not the children or spouse,” the statement noted, explaining his position on the need to protect family relationships during incarceration.
Chairman Wontumi has appealed to the Ministry of Food and Agriculture to support prison farms with the necessary equipment to improve food production.
According to the statement, the Ghana Prisons Service has access to vast lands and skilled labour but faces a shortage of agricultural equipment, with only one tractor reportedly available for farming and garbage-related activities.
He has further proposed greater collaboration between prison authorities and the justice sector, suggesting that regional prison commanders should be included in relevant discussions because of their knowledge of prison conditions and inmate rehabilitation.
On infrastructure, Chairman Wontumi has called on the government and private sector to invest in modern prison facilities and factories, arguing that the system has seen limited structural improvements over the years.
Appeal to Parliament
Dr Boakye-Danquah said Chairman Wontumi had made a special appeal to Parliament to lead efforts towards comprehensive prison reform.
He is urging the Speaker of Parliament to initiate discussions on prison conditions as a human rights and national development issue.
He has also called on the Majority and Minority caucuses to work together to pass a new Prison Reform Act and approve funding for a dedicated prison hospital, ambulance services, standby generators and agricultural equipment.
Additionally, he wants the Parliamentary Select Committees on Defence and Interior, Health, and Food and Agriculture to undertake working visits to prisons across the country to assess conditions firsthand.
According to the statement, Chairman Wontumi believes bipartisan cooperation between the Majority and Minority caucuses is necessary to secure the legal and financial reforms required to improve the prison system.
He has called for broader prison reforms across Africa, expressing hope that Ghana could lead the continent in improving correctional facilities.
Reflecting on his experience since July 20, Chairman Wontumi stated: “At this experience since July 20th till date, prison doesn’t reform as it should be. I pray that the entire Africa will learn from Ghana.”
The statement added that Chairman Wontumi remained in high spirits.
By: Jacob Aggrey
