Yaw Gahornu, 87, was sentenced to 20 years’ imprisonment with hard labour after the Gender‑Based Violence Court found him guilty of defiling a nine‑year‑old girl in Ofankor, a suburb of Accra, on 29 August 2026.
The case began when the child’s mother returned home from work and discovered bloodstains on her daughter’s clothing. The girl revealed that Gahornu had allegedly subjected her to repeated sexual abuse between July and August 2026, involving both vaginal and anal penetration.
Investigations uncovered that Gahornu had lured the child to his sleeping quarters and threatened to kill her if she disclosed the abuse to her mother. The alleged abuse was reportedly witnessed by the accused’s granddaughter on 31 August 2026, who informed family members and the complainant before the matter was reported to the Police.
Gahornu was charged and arraigned before the Domestic Violence and Victim Support Unit (DOVVSU) Headquarters. The court found him guilty and imposed a 20‑year sentence with hard labour for defilement.
The Accra Regional Police Command welcomed the outcome, reaffirming its commitment to protecting children and other vulnerable persons. The Command urged the public to promptly report suspected cases of child abuse to the Police for investigation and appropriate action.
