An 87 year old man has been sentenced to 20 years in prison after pleading guilty to two counts of defilement involving a nine year old girl who lived near him at Ofankor in Accra. Editorial Standards
The convict, identified as Yaw Gahornu, was sentenced by the Police Headquarters Gender-Based Violence Court after admitting to the two offences.
The court imposed a 10-year prison term on each count, with the sentences ordered to run consecutively, resulting in a total of 20 years behind bars.
Gahornu was also discharged on a separate charge of unnatural carnal knowledge.
The case came to light after the child’s mother, a 42 year old trader, returned home from work on August 29, 2026, and noticed blood stains on her daughter’s underwear.
When she asked the child what had happened, the girl identified Gahornu as the person responsible for the abuse.
According to the prosecution, Gahornu lived in a wooden structure approximately 40 metres from the family’s home. The prosecution told the court that the abuse had allegedly occurred repeatedly between July and August 2026, when the child would go outside to play.
The matter eventually came to a head on August 31, when Gahornu was allegedly found abusing the child by his granddaughter.
She reportedly informed her uncle, who then alerted the girl’s mother. The matter was subsequently reported to the police, leading to the arrest and prosecution of the elderly man.
The prosecution, led by Chief Inspector Opoku Aniagyei, further told the court that Gahornu had threatened to kill the child if she disclosed what had happened to her.
Such threats can place additional pressure on child victims and make it more difficult for them to disclose abuse to parents, guardians, teachers or other trusted adults.
Following the report, the child was referred for medical examination.
Police indicated that she was in stable condition but had experienced health complications following the abuse, including lower abdominal pain, painful urination and faecal incontinence.
The details underscore the potentially serious physical consequences that sexual abuse can have on children.
Gahornu, who was described as unemployed, admitted both counts of defilement and was convicted on his own plea.
In considering the sentence, the court took into account factors including the fact that Gahornu was a first-time offender, had pleaded guilty and had already spent about one month in lawful custody. Editorial Ethics & Independence
Despite these considerations, the court imposed the 20-year consecutive sentence, citing the increasing incidence of defilement and the need for punishment to serve as a deterrent.
The sentence means the two 10-year terms will not run at the same time. Instead, the second term begins after the first has been completed, resulting in the total 20-year custodial sentence.
The case has renewed attention on the protection of children from sexual abuse and the importance of vigilance within communities. Children can be particularly vulnerable when perpetrators are people who live nearby or have regular access to them.
Parents and guardians are therefore encouraged to maintain open communication with children and create an environment in which they feel safe reporting uncomfortable or threatening behaviour.
Children should also be taught, in an age-appropriate manner, that they can speak to trusted adults when someone makes them feel unsafe or attempts to cross personal boundaries.
The case also demonstrates the importance of taking early warning signs seriously. The mother’s decision to question the circumstances surrounding the stains on her daughter’s clothing ultimately led to the disclosure of the abuse and the involvement of law enforcement authorities.
For communities, the incident is a reminder that child protection is a shared responsibility. Neighbours, relatives, teachers, religious leaders and community members all have a role to play in identifying risks and reporting suspected abuse through appropriate channels.
Under Ghana’s Criminal Offences Act, defilement refers to sexual intercourse with a child under 16 years of age.
The law provides for imprisonment of not less than seven years and not more than 25 years upon conviction. It also makes clear that the child’s consent does not make the conduct lawful.
This legal framework reflects the protection afforded to children because of their age and vulnerability. A nine year old child is legally incapable of consenting to sexual intercourse under Ghana’s defilement provisions, meaning responsibility rests entirely with the adult who commits the offence.
The 20-year sentence handed to Gahornu falls within the statutory range provided for defilement under Ghanaian law.
The court’s decision also illustrates how aggravating circumstances, the number of counts and the broader need for deterrence can influence sentencing. Corrections Policy
Beyond punishment, however, cases involving child sexual abuse require attention to the welfare and recovery of victims.
Children who experience abuse may require medical care, psychological support, counselling and protection from further contact with the alleged perpetrator or other potential sources of harm.
The identity of a child victim should also be protected in news reporting. Responsible journalism requires avoiding details that could directly or indirectly reveal the child’s identity, particularly in cases involving sexual offences.
This report therefore does not identify the nine-year-old or publish information that could unnecessarily expose her to further distress or stigma.
The incident further highlights the importance of ensuring that reports of child abuse are handled promptly and professionally. Delayed reporting can make investigations more difficult and may leave children exposed to continued abuse.
The Ghana Police Service has continued to prosecute cases involving the sexual abuse of children, with its Domestic Violence and Victim Support Unit (DOVVSU) playing a key role in responding to gender-based violence and child protection complaints.
The Police Service has also publicised convictions and investigations involving defilement as part of its broader law-enforcement responsibilities.
For parents and guardians, the case serves as a serious reminder that child safety requires constant attention, even within familiar neighbourhood environments.
Knowing the people who interact with children, paying attention to changes in a child’s behaviour and taking disclosures seriously can be important steps in preventing further harm.
Children should never be blamed for abuse committed against them. Responsibility lies with the perpetrator, and victims should be supported rather than stigmatised when they disclose what happened. Newscard
The conviction of Gahornu brings the legal proceedings in this particular case to a conclusion with a substantial custodial sentence.
It also sends a wider message about the seriousness with which Ghana’s criminal justice system treats sexual offences against children.
As the country continues to confront cases of child sexual abuse, stronger prevention, timely reporting, effective investigations and access to appropriate support services will remain essential.
The case at Ofankor ultimately underscores a fundamental responsibility shared by families, communities, institutions and law enforcement agencies, children must be protected from abuse, and those who violate that protection must be held accountable under the law.