A 54-year-old man accused of killing a forest guard during an anti-poaching patrol at the Kakum National Park in Ghana’s Central Region has been remanded into police custody.
The accused, identified as John Mensah, a resident of Assin Betwease in the Assin South District, appeared before the Nyankumasi Ahenkro District Court.
His plea was not taken during his first appearance. Prosecutors told the court that investigations were still ongoing and requested additional time.
Presiding Judge Peter Anongdare subsequently ordered Mensah to remain in police custody for 14 days. He is expected to return to court on September 11, 2026.
Forest Guard Killed During Patrol
The incident occurred on Friday, August 21, 2026, while forest guards were conducting a routine patrol in the Kakum National Park to check for illegal activities.
According to a situational report from the Forestry Commission, the patrol team discovered signs of a route allegedly being used by suspected poachers.
The guards reportedly heard gunshots from the direction of the suspected poaching activity and took strategic positions in the forest.
At about 5:15 a.m. the following morning, the team reportedly noticed two lights approaching their position.
The guards ordered the individuals to surrender, but the suspects allegedly fled into the forest in different directions.
One of the suspects reportedly abandoned a sack before turning around and firing at Richard Otwey, a forest guard who was pursuing him.
Otwey was struck by the gunfire and died at the scene.
Second Suspect Remains at Large
Mensah was subsequently arrested.
During questioning, he allegedly identified Bukari Abudu, also from Assin Betwease, as the person who fired the fatal shot.
Abudu had not been arrested at the time of the latest reports, with the police and Forestry Commission continuing efforts to locate him.
Investigators searching the area reportedly recovered two single-barrel guns believed to have been carried by the suspects.
They also discovered the remains of several animals believed to have been killed during the suspected poaching activities.
These included five brush-tailed porcupines, two African giant rats, a Maxwell duiker, a snail, two Mona monkeys and an olive colobus monkey.
Other Items Found in the Forest
Investigators also reportedly found two machetes, a cooking pot, sachets of tomato paste and a bottle of water at the location.
The items suggested that the suspects may have spent a considerable amount of time inside the forest.
Following the incident, Nyankumasi Police officers, together with the Park Manager and Forestry Commission officials, entered the park to retrieve Otwey’s body.
His remains have since been deposited at the Abura Dunkwa Government Hospital mortuary.
Investigations Continue
Mensah remains in police custody as investigations continue, while authorities work to establish the full circumstances surrounding the killing and locate the second suspect.
The case is expected to return before the Nyankumasi Ahenkro District Court on September 11.
