The Tarkwa Circuit Court has handed down a 25-year prison sentence with hard labor to 22-year-old taxi driver Godgift Acquah, also known as Kwame Atta, for defiling his fiancée’s 14-year-old sister. Acquah pleaded guilty to the charge but begged the court for leniency—a plea that was ultimately rejected.
Details of the Crime
According to Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Joyce Odame, the prosecution’s case revealed disturbing details. The victim, a minor, lived with her elder sister in Himan, Western Region, where Acquah also resided as the sister’s partner.
In November 2024, while the victim’s sister was away at a local event, Acquah took advantage of the girl’s vulnerability. Late that night, as she slept, he silenced her by covering her mouth with a pillow before forcibly assaulting her. The attack left her bleeding, and Acquah pressured her into washing the bloodstained bedsheet to conceal evidence.
Attempted Cover-Up
Months later, on February 21, 2025, Acquah escalated his manipulation by procuring Postinor-2, an emergency contraceptive, and coercing the victim into taking it to avoid pregnancy. However, the traumatized girl confided in her brother, revealing the assault. Enraged, her brother destroyed the drug and, with the help of neighbors, apprehended Acquah and turned him over to the Prestea police.
Medical Confirmation & Shocking Revelation
The victim was taken to a medical facility, where an examination confirmed she had been defiled. Further police investigations uncovered an alarming detail: Acquah was HIV-positive and undergoing treatment, raising additional concerns about the victim’s health.
Judge’s Stern Rebuke
Before sentencing, Circuit Court Judge Mrs. Manu fixed a piercing gaze on Acquah, delivering a scathing condemnation. "You have sentenced this child to a lifetime of suffering," she declared. "Society has no place for individuals like you. This punishment must serve as a warning to others who might contemplate such heinous acts."*
With no room for leniency, the court imposed a 25-year prison term, ensuring Acquah faces the full consequences of his crime. The ruling underscores Ghana’s judicial stance on sexual violence, particularly against minors, reinforcing the imperative of justice for victims.
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