The police have commenced investigations into the death of a 56 year old cocoa farmer who was found dead in his room at Assin Ketukrom in the Assin North District of the Central Region, with a suspected gunshot wound to his abdomen.
The deceased, identified as Kofi Sackey, was discovered on Tuesday, November 3, 2026, with a single-barrelled shotgun reportedly resting on his body. Editorial Ethics & Independence
The circumstances surrounding his death have raised concerns among residents, particularly following suggestions that a family disagreement over ownership of a cocoa farm may have preceded the incident.
According to preliminary police information, the matter was reported to the Assin Praso District Police Command at approximately 12 noon by the deceased’s younger brother, Kofi Ansah.
Ansah reportedly informed the police that he had returned from the farm at about 11:15 a.m. when he discovered his elder brother lying in a pool of blood inside his room.
Following the report, a team of police officers led by the District Commander, Superintendent Eric Yao Avudzivi, proceeded to the residence to investigate the incident.
Upon arrival, officers found Sackey lying on his back in the middle of the room, with what appeared to be a deep gunshot wound to his abdomen, slightly above the navel.
A single barrelled firearm was also found resting on his body.
The police documented the scene and took photographs to support their preliminary investigations.
Officers are expected to rely on forensic examinations and other available evidence to establish the circumstances that led to the farmer’s death.
Information gathered from members of the household has also provided investigators with an account of the moments preceding the discovery.
A nephew of the deceased, identified as Acquah Emmanuel, reportedly told investigators that he had been watching television with other family members when Sackey left the room at approximately 11 a.m.
A few minutes after he walked out, the family members reportedly heard a loud sound resembling a gunshot. Corrections Policy
The sound prompted them to go outside to establish what had happened. However, they reportedly did not see anyone around at the time.
It was only after Kofi Ansah returned from the farm that the family discovered Sackey’s body inside the room.
Although the circumstances have prompted speculation about a possible self-inflicted gunshot, the police have not officially established the cause or manner of death.
Investigators are expected to examine the available evidence before reaching any conclusions.
Meanwhile, Kingsford Deku, the Assembly Member for the area, has suggested that a disagreement within the family over ownership of a cocoa farm could be connected to the incident.
Speaking to Citi News, Deku reportedly explained that Sackey and his brother had been involved in a dispute concerning ownership of a parcel of cocoa farmland.
He further alleged that the deceased had locked himself inside his brother’s room before the shooting incident occurred.
Although this account has introduced a possible explanation for the events leading to the farmer’s death, the alleged family disagreement has not been officially confirmed as the cause of the incident.
The police investigation remains important in determining whether the dispute had any direct connection to what happened.
Following their preliminary examination of the scene, officers conveyed the deceased’s body to the New Edubiase Government Hospital mortuary for preservation and an autopsy.
The post-mortem examination is expected to provide medical findings that could help determine the exact cause of death.
Investigators may also consider the firearm, witness statements and other forensic evidence as part of efforts to reconstruct the events.
The death has drawn attention to the potential consequences of unresolved family disagreements, particularly disputes involving land and agricultural property in farming communities.
Cocoa farms remain important economic assets for many households in Ghana, providing livelihoods and supporting families across rural communities. Editorial Standards
However, disagreements over ownership, inheritance and the use of farmland can sometimes create tensions among relatives.
Such disputes require peaceful resolution through dialogue, traditional authorities, mediation or the appropriate legal institutions rather than confrontation.
For residents of Assin Ketukrom, the immediate concern remains establishing exactly what happened to the 56-year-old farmer and whether any other circumstances contributed to his death.
The Assin North District Police Command is continuing its investigations, with authorities expected to rely on the outcome of the autopsy and other evidence to clarify the incident.
Until the investigation is completed, the suspected suicide theory and the alleged family dispute should be treated as preliminary accounts rather than established facts.
The police have yet to announce a final determination regarding the circumstances surrounding Kofi Sackey’s death.