Ghana Police Service Under Fire for Handling of Incest and Defilement Case

Senior broadcast journalist Abena Opokua Ahwenee raises concerns over the handling of the case involving a police officer and his teenage daughter.
The Ghana Police Service has come under fire for publicly disclosing the identity of the 14-year-old victim.
Abena Ahwenee questions the pace of investigations and the decision to release sensitive details.
The accused police officer, Inspector Desmond Owusu Afriyie, has been interdicted pending further investigations.

The Ghana Police Service has been criticized for its handling of an alleged incest and defilement case involving a police officer and his teenage daughter. The case, which has sparked widespread outrage, has raised serious concerns about the protection of child victims of abuse. According to a press release issued by the Ashanti North Regional Police Command, the case is under active investigation by the Domestic Violence and Victim Support Unit (DOVVSU) at Agona District.

The police confirmed that the complaint was lodged on 4 November 2025 by Charlotte Samaa of Koforidua on behalf of her daughter, Cecilia Owusu Afriyie, who was described as a 14-year-old victim alleging sexual abuse by her biological father. The statement further indicated that following the report, the victim was referred for medical examination at a government health facility to aid investigations.

Child protection is a critical issue in Ghana, with many cases of child abuse and defilement reported annually. The Ghana Police Service has a responsibility to protect child victims of abuse and ensure that perpetrators are brought to justice. However, the handling of the case has raised concerns about the effectiveness of the police service in protecting child victims.

In recent years, there have been several high-profile cases of child abuse and defilement in Ghana, highlighting the need for effective child protection mechanisms. The government has implemented various initiatives to address child protection, including the establishment of the National Child Protection Committee.

Abena Opokua Ahwenee has criticized the police service for publicly disclosing the identity of the 14-year-old victim. She argued that this decision was a breach of child protection standards and has left the girl vulnerable to public scrutiny and emotional distress. Ahwenee noted that the case had previously been reported without revealing the victim's identity, in line with established child protection protocols.

Ahwenee further highlighted disturbing details allegedly provided by the victim regarding years of abuse. According to her account, the victim claimed the abuse began when she was just 10 years old while living with her father in Garu. The victim reportedly confided in a doctor at Garu Presbyterian Hospital, which subsequently led to a police report. Ahwenee questioned why decisive intervention was not immediately taken.

The journalist alleged that the victim described prolonged abuse under threats, including being locked up and deprived of food. Medical reports later confirmed that the girl is HIV positive, while the accused officer has also reportedly admitted to being HIV positive. Ahwenee added that even after the child was relocated to Agona Jamasi for care, the alleged abuse is said to have continued.

The case has sparked widespread outrage, with many calling for the police service to take decisive action to protect child victims of abuse. The Ghana Police Service has a responsibility to ensure that perpetrators are brought to justice and that child victims receive the protection and support they need.

In response to the criticism, the police service has stated that the case is under active investigation and that the officer has been interdicted pending further investigations. The service has also emphasized its commitment to protecting child victims of abuse and ensuring that perpetrators are brought to justice.