Tarkwa: The Circuit Court in Tarkwa has imposed a 20-year imprisonment sentence with hard labor on an environment rehabilitation officer, Charles Amankwah, for defiling a 10-year-old girl in Brahabebome, located in the Western Region. Amankwah, aged 26, faced two charges of engaging in sexual activities involving both the vagina and anus of the young victim. Despite his plea of not guilty, the court, under the jurisdiction of Mrs. Hathia Ama Manu, found him guilty and sentenced him to 10 years for each count, to be served consecutively.
According to Ghana News Agency, the prosecution was led by Chief Superintendent of Police Alex Odonkor, who informed the court that the victim’s mother, the complainant, lived in Brahabebome with her daughter. Amankwah had established a friendly relationship with both the complainant and the victim as they shared the same residence. Leveraging this relationship, Amankwah began sexually assaulting the victim, starting in 2023 when she was in Primary Four, without the mother’s knowledge.
The prosecution further detailed that Amankwah frequently lured the victim into his room under the pretense of helping her with homework, taking advantage of the complainant’s absence. The victim revealed that Amankwah not only assaulted her but also coerced her into silence by offering her coke and threatening to withdraw his academic assistance if she resisted or disclosed the abuse.
Chief Superintendent Odonkor highlighted that the situation came to light on June 16, 2024, when a concerned individual informed the complainant. Upon questioning, the victim confirmed the abuse, prompting her mother to report the incident to the Western Central Domestic Violence and Victims Support Unit in Tarkwa. Subsequently, Amankwah was apprehended for questioning.
Medical examination of the victim revealed severe complications, necessitating surgery on her anus. A medical report was duly completed and submitted to the police, corroborating the victim’s harrowing account.