Ofankor Child Defilement Case: 87-Year-Old Man Sentenced to 20 Years Imprisonment in Accra

In a significant legal outcome for child protection in Ghana, the Gender-Based Violence Court in Accra has handed down a 20-year prison sentence with hard labour to 87-year-old Yaw Gahornu for defiling a nine-year-old girl at Ofankor. This conviction highlights the critical role of family vigilance, prompt law enforcement response, and strict judicial accountability in safeguarding vulnerable children within local communities.

The incident came to light on August 29, 2026, when a mother returning home from work in Ofankor, a suburb of Accra, noticed bloodstains on the clothing of her nine-year-old daughter. Upon questioning the child, the victim disclosed that 87-year-old Yaw Gahornu had subjected her to repeated sexual abuse between July and August 2026, involving both vaginal and anal penetration . Police investigations subsequently established that the accused lured the young girl to his sleeping quarters and threatened to kill her if she revealed the abuse to her mother.

The ongoing abuse was exposed on August 31, 2026, when the suspect’s granddaughter witnessed the act and immediately informed family members, including the complainant. The family promptly reported the matter to law enforcement. Prosecution efforts led by the Tesano Divisional Police Command brought Yaw Gahornu before the Gender-Based Violence Court located at the DOVVSU Headquarters in Accra. Following judicial proceedings, the court found him guilty of defilement and sentenced him to 20 years' imprisonment in hard labour.

In response to the judgment, the Accra Regional Police Command welcomed the court's verdict and "reiterated its commitment to protecting children and other vulnerable persons". Reaffirming the importance of community collaboration in combating sexual offenses, the Police Command stated that it

"urges the public to promptly report suspected cases of child abuse to the Police for investigation and appropriate action".

The sentencing of 87-year-old Yaw Gahornu to 20 years in hard labour delivers a clear message that the law will hold perpetrators of child abuse accountable regardless of age. The vital role played by family members and police investigators underscores how timely intervention saves children from ongoing harm.