Two individuals, who deceived many by falsely promising enrollment in the Ghana Armed Forces, have each received a 32-month prison sentence from the Twedie District court in the Atwima Kwanwoma district.
30-year-old excavator operator, Foster Gyimah, and Richard Boateng, a 22-year-old student, faced charges of conspiracy, fraud, and impersonating a public officer. Despite pleading not guilty, they were convicted and subsequently sentenced.
The prosecution presented four witnesses whose testimonies aligned with the investigator’s findings and the case’s details, leading to the conviction.
The case revolved around Simon Kwame Bonsu, a businessman and pastor in Pankrono, near Kumasi, where the defendants also lived. In 2021, Gyimah, posing as an Army Captain, offered to assist Bonsu in enlisting seven people into the Ghana Army.
Bonsu introduced three of his relatives to Gyimah, each of whom was asked to pay GH¢5,000.00. Altogether, the complainant paid GH¢27,000.00 to Gyimah.
Additionally, Gyimah introduced Boateng as the recruitment officer and collected GH¢27,400.00 from Bonsu.
Following the monetary transactions, both individuals went into hiding, prompting Bonsu to report the case to the Suntreso police.
In October 2022, the police apprehended Gyimah and Boateng in Obuasi. Subsequent investigations led to their charges and prosecution.