Father jailed 10 years for defiling 13-year-old daughter in Tarkwa

A 40-year-old mason, Samuel Okyere, has been sentenced to 10 years’ imprisonment by the Tarkwa Circuit Court for sexually abusing his 13-year-old daughter.

Her Honour Bernice Mensimah Akoh presided over the case and handed down the sentence after Okyere pleaded guilty simpliciter to charges of defilement of a child under 16 and incest, contrary to Sections 101(1) and (2) and Section 105 of the Criminal Offences Act, 1960 (Act 29).

Prosecuting, Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Samuel Ahiabor detailed that the victim’s mother, a trader and complainant, has been married to Okyere for 14 years. The couple has four children, with the victim being the eldest.

According to the prosecution, on the night of January 19, 2026, at around 11:00 p.m., the mother awoke to find Okyere engaged in an indecent act with their daughter in their matrimonial room at Low-Cost, Tarkwa. She immediately raised an alarm and intervened, stopping the assault.

The matter was reported to the Domestic Violence and Victim Support Unit (DOVVSU) of the Ghana Police Service in Tarkwa. The victim was medically examined at the Apinto Government Hospital after being issued a medical form by the authorities.

Investigations revealed that the abuse had been ongoing since 2025, often taking place when the mother left home early for work. In his caution statement, Okyere admitted to the offences, prompting his subsequent charge and conviction.

ASP Ahiabor emphasized the seriousness of the crime, highlighting that sexual abuse within the family not only violates the law but also inflicts long-term psychological harm on the victim. The court’s ruling reflects Ghana’s firm stance on protecting children and punishing perpetrators of sexual offences.

The sentencing serves as a stark warning to parents and guardians that any form of sexual abuse against minors will be met with severe legal consequences. The victim and her mother are now receiving support from social services to aid in their recovery.