The Bekwai Circuit Court has imposed a 10-year jail term on a 38-year-old farmer, David Donkor, after finding him guilty of defiling his 13-year-old stepdaughter. The sentence, which includes hard labour, was passed on the convict following a trial where the prosecution presented a medical report and the defendant’s own admission.
Donkor had been charged with one count of defilement, an offence contrary to Section 101 of the Criminal and Other Offences Act, 1960 (Act 29). The case was investigated by the Bekwai Domestic Violence and Victim Support Unit (DOVVSU) after the victim's mother, aged 27, reported the incident.
Incident at Afoako Near Bekwai
According to the prosecution, the unlawful sexual act occurred in December 2024 at Afoako, a village near Bekwai in the Ashanti Region. The convict, who was the stepfather of the girl, had carnal knowledge of her. Under Ghanaian law, defilement is the intentional sexual intercourse with a child under 16 years of age, and the victim was precisely 13 years old at the time.
The victim’s mother learnt of the offence and wasted no time in filing a complaint at the Bekwai DOVVSU office. When the allegations came to light, Donkor fled the community, prompting the police to commence a manhunt. Law enforcement ensured that the victim received medical attention, and the medical report compiled afterwards became an integral piece of the prosecution’s evidence.
Understanding Defilement Under Ghanaian Law
Defilement is a serious sexual offence under the laws of Ghana. The Criminal and Other Offences Act, 1960 (Act 29) criminalises sexual intercourse with any child under the age of 16. The law does not require proof of force because a minor is legally incapable of consenting to sexual activity. This means that a child’s agreement, if any, is irrelevant in the eyes of the law.
In this case, the victim was 13 years old, which is well below the age of consent. Section 101 specifically deals with defilement and prescribes punitive measures for offenders. The charge brought against Donkor was in accordance with this section, and the court’s sentence reflects the seriousness with which such offences are treated.
Arrest in Ahafo Region
For several months, Donkor managed to evade capture. However, police received a tip-off that he had been spotted in Ntotroso, a town in the Ahafo Region. Personnel from the Bekwai DOVVSU coordinated with the Ntotroso Police to effect the arrest. On January 8, 2026, Donkor was taken into custody and transferred to Bekwai to assist with the investigation.
During interrogation at the DOVVSU station, Donkor made a caution statement, admitting to the offence. A caution statement, in Ghanaian legal practice, is a voluntary declaration given by a suspect while being warned that it may be used in evidence. Following the guilty admission, the police charged him and brought him before the Bekwai Circuit Court.
Court Ruling and Sentencing
The court listened to the facts, reviewed the evidence, and ultimately convicted Donkor of defilement. In his judgment, the judge noted the gravity of taking advantage of a vulnerable child. The convict was sentenced to 10 years’ imprisonment with hard labour, ensuring that he will spend a considerable time behind bars reflecting on his actions.
This case highlights the role of DOVVSU, a specialized unit of the Ghana Police Service dedicated to addressing domestic and gender-based violence. It also shows the importance of inter-regional police cooperation. The arrest in Ahafo Region and subsequent conviction in Bekwai demonstrate that offenders cannot escape by moving to another part of the country.
The sentence serves as a deterrent and reinforces the judiciary's stance on protecting minors from sexual abuse. Communities near Bekwai, including Afoako, have taken note of the outcome, and the case adds to the growing body of judicial decisions that condemn such crimes.
