An 87-year-old man has been sentenced to 20 years’ imprisonment with hard labour for defiling a nine-year-old girl in Ofankor, a suburb of Accra, Ghana.

Yaw Gahornu was convicted by the Gender-Based Violence Court following investigations by the Tesano Divisional Police Command, the Accra Regional Police Command said in a statement issued on October 12.

The case came to light on August 29, 2026, when the girl’s mother returned from work and noticed bloodstains on her daughter’s clothing.

According to the police, the child disclosed that Gahornu had repeatedly sexually abused her between July and August.

Investigators said the accused allegedly lured the girl to his sleeping quarters and threatened to kill her if she reported the abuse to her mother.

The police said the alleged abuse was witnessed by Gahornu’s granddaughter on August 31. She subsequently informed family members, including the girl’s mother, prompting a report to the police.

Gahornu was arrested, charged and arraigned before the Gender-Based Violence Court at the headquarters of the Domestic Violence and Victim Support Unit (DOVVSU).

The court found him guilty and sentenced him to 20 years’ imprisonment with hard labour.

The Accra Regional Police Command welcomed the conviction, describing the outcome as part of its efforts to protect children and other vulnerable people.

It urged members of the public to report suspected cases of child abuse promptly to enable investigations and appropriate legal action.