A Tarkwa Circuit Court has sentenced a 20-year-old galamsey operator, Kelvin Oppong, to 15 years in prison 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 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 ahead of her admission to Senior High School.
According to the prosecution, on May 26, 2026, the victim’s stepmother sent her into the Nsuaem township to sell sausage and gizzard to raise money towards her education.
The prosecution said at about 11:00 a.m., Oppong approached the girl and pretended to be interested in buying some of her food.
He reportedly gave her a GH¢100 note, but when she was unable to provide change, Oppong allegedly asked her to follow him to his house on the pretext of giving her money.
Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Samuel Ahiabor, who prosecuted the case, told the court that Oppong then posed as a pastor and told the girl that he had had a bad dream about her.
He allegedly prayed for her and gave her a concoction to drink, after which she fell asleep.
The prosecution said Oppong then sexually assaulted the girl on the veranda of his house.
When she regained consciousness, the victim reportedly realised what had happened and informed her stepmother, who subsequently reported the matter to the Nsuaem Police.
The girl was referred to the Nsuaem Government Hospital for medical examination and treatment. The medical report later confirmed that she had been defiled.
The prosecution said Oppong was apprehended the following day, May 27, by the victim’s stepmother and some residents after they spotted him in the Nsuaem township.
He was handed over to the police and subsequently charged with defilement.
Oppong pleaded guilty when he appeared before the court and was sentenced to 15 years’ imprisonment.
