Ghanaian man sentenced to 20 years for defiling nine-year-old girl

Yaw Gahornu, an 87-year-old man, has been sentenced to 20 years in prison with hard labour after being found guilty of defiling a nine-year-old girl in Ofankor, Accra.

The investigation by the Tesano Divisional Police Command revealed that the abuse occurred multiple times between July and August 2026. The matter came to light after the child’s mother discovered bloodstains on the girl's clothing and the child disclosed the abuse. Additionally, Gahornu’s granddaughter reportedly witnessed an incident and informed relatives.

According to police reports, Gahornu allegedly took the child to his sleeping quarters and threatened to kill her if she informed her mother. The case was heard at the Gender-Based Violence Court at the Domestic Violence and Victim Support Unit (DOVVSU) Headquarters, where the conviction was handed down.