A 20-year-old galamsey operator, Kelvin Oppong, has been sentenced to 15 years in prison by the Tarkwa Circuit Court for defiling a 14-year-old girl at Nsuaem in the Western Region.
Oppong, a resident of Nsuaem, pleaded guilty to the charge and was convicted and sentenced on his own plea.
The court, presided over by Bernice Mensima Ackon, heard that the victim had completed Junior High School and was awaiting her Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) results before proceeding to Senior High School.
According to the prosecution, the incident occurred on May 26, 2026, after the girl was sent by her stepmother into Nsuaem township to sell sausage and gizzard to raise money towards her education.
The prosecution said Oppong approached the girl at about 11:00 a.m. and initially pretended to be interested in buying some of the food she was selling.
He allegedly handed her a GH¢100 note but, after she told him she could not provide change, offered to give her money if she followed him to his residence.
Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Samuel Ahiabor, who prosecuted the case, told the court that Oppong subsequently claimed to be a pastor and told the girl he had experienced a bad dream concerning her.
He allegedly prayed for her before giving her a concoction to drink.
The girl reportedly lost consciousness after consuming the substance, during which time Oppong sexually assaulted her on the veranda of his residence.
After regaining consciousness, the victim realised what had happened and informed her stepmother, who reported the matter to the Nsuaem Police.
She was subsequently sent to the Nsuaem Government Hospital for medical examination and treatment, with a medical report later confirming that she had been defiled.
The prosecution said Oppong was arrested the following day, May 27, after the victim’s stepmother and some residents spotted him in Nsuaem township.
He was handed over to the police and subsequently charged with defilement.
Oppong admitted the offence when he appeared before the Tarkwa Circuit Court and was convicted on his plea.
The court consequently sentenced him to 15 years’ imprisonment.
