The Tarkwa circuit court has handed down a 24-year prison sentence with hard labor to a 56-year-old farmer, Kwaku Sarfo, also known as Kantanka, for sexually assaulting a 10-year-old pupil.
Sarfo, upon his appearance before the court presided over by Hathia Ama Manu, pleaded guilty to the charges against him.
Despite Sarfo’s plea for leniency, the court dismissed his request, deeming it necessary to impose a harsh sentence to dissuade individuals like him from perpetrating such crimes against innocent girls in Tarkwa and its vicinity.
Superintendent of Police Juliana Essel-Dadzie, who led the prosecution, informed the court that the victim, a primary four pupil, lived with Sarfo, who was also her neighbor, in Anokwa within the Prestea Huni-Valley Municipality.
According to Essel-Dadzie, on Thursday, March 28, 2024, around 1:00 PM, the victim was sent by her parents to fetch water from a nearby stream for household purposes.
While on her way, Sarfo called the victim and entrusted her with a white margarine container to fetch water for him.
Upon returning with the water, Sarfo instructed the victim to take it to his room, followed her, locked the door, and proceeded to forcefully have sexual intercourse with her.
Afterward, Sarfo warned the victim not to disclose the incident to anyone and instructed her to return home.
The following day, the victim’s parents noticed she was bleeding from her vagina. Despite their inquiries, the victim remained silent. Subsequently, they took her to the Prestea Government Hospital for medical attention.
During her examination at the hospital, the victim disclosed her ordeal to the medical officer.
The victim’s parents promptly reported the incident to the Prestea police, who issued a medical report form for her treatment.
Sarfo attempted to evade arrest but was apprehended by the police in Prestea on Saturday, March 30, 2024.