An 87-year-old man, Yaw Gahornu, has been sentenced to 20 years imprisonment by the Police Headquarters Gender-Based Violence Court for defilement. Gahornu was charged with two counts of defilement and unnatural carnal knowledge. He pleaded guilty and was convicted and sentenced on his plea. The court sentenced Gahornu to 10 years imprisonment on each of the two counts of defilement, with sentences to run consecutively.
According to the prosecution, the complainant was a 42-year-old trader who resided in the same neighbourhood as Gahornu in Ofankor, Accra. The victim, her nine-year-old daughter, would often play near Gahornu's wooden structure, where he slept, located about 40 meters from the complainant's residence. The prosecution, led by Chief Inspector Opoku Aniagyei, stated that Gahornu started luring the victim into having anal and vaginal sex with him from July to August 31, 2026.
On August 29, at about 1540 hours, the complainant returned from work and noticed some blood stains on the victim's pants. When the complainant questioned her daughter, the prosecution said she mentioned Gahornu having anal and vaginal sex with her anytime she went out to play. The victim's mother also discovered that Gahornu would threaten to kill her if she told her mother about their sexual encounters.
On August 31, at about 1600 hours, Gahornu was having sex with the victim when his granddaughter caught them in the act and reported to her uncle, who in turn informed the complainant. The matter was reported to the police, and a medical form was issued to enable the victim to receive medical attention. The victim was found to be in stable condition but experienced lower abdominal pain, painful urination, and faecal incontinence due to the vagina and anal sex.
The court discharged Gahornu on the charge of unnatural carnal knowledge. It was noted that the accused person, a first-time offender, did not waste the court's time and had also spent a month in lawful custody. However, the court considered the increasing nature of the offence and handed down a sentence that would serve as a deterrent to like-minded persons.
The prosecution's evidence revealed that Gahornu had sex with the victim on many occasions through her anus and vagina. The victim's health condition was a result of the repeated sexual abuse she suffered at the hands of Gahornu. The court took into account the severity of the offence and the impact on the victim when determining the sentence.
The sentencing of Gahornu brings closure to the victim and her family. The case highlights the need for vigilance in communities and the importance of reporting suspicious behaviour to prevent such heinous crimes. The Ghanaian authorities continue to work to combat gender-based violence and ensure that perpetrators are brought to justice.
Key points
- An 87-year-old man was sentenced to 20 years imprisonment for defiling a nine-year-old girl at Ofankor in Ghana.
- The victim experienced severe health complications, including lower abdominal pain, painful urination, and faecal incontinence, due to the repeated sexual abuse.
- The court handed down a significant sentence to serve as a deterrent to like-minded persons and to reflect the severity of the offence.
