A routine patrol in Ghana’s Kakum Forest Reserve ended in tragedy on Saturday, 22 August 2026, when a wildlife resource guard was shot dead by a suspected poacher in the Assin Kruwa area of the Central Region.
Richard Otwey, attached to the Kakum Wildlife Division of the Forestry Commission, was on duty with two other forestry guards when they allegedly encountered two men hunting inside the protected forest without lawful authority.
According to preliminary police enquiries, the guards attempted to arrest the men, identified as Bukari Abudu and John Mensah. Abudu is alleged to have drawn a single-barrel gun and fired at Otwey, striking him in the chest and killing him instantly.
The two suspects fled into the forest. The patrol team pursued them and succeeded in arresting John Mensah. Bukari Abudu remains at large.
Police received word of the shooting at about 8:25 a.m. and, together with officials from the Forestry Commission’s Wildlife Division, proceeded to the scene.
Officers found Otwey’s body lying under a wawa tree approximately 60 metres from the reserve boundary.
A search of the area recovered a spent cartridge, footprints and a single-barrel gun, all of which have been preserved as exhibits.
The body was later conveyed to the Abura Dunkwa Government Hospital Mortuary for preservation and further examination.
Central North Regional Crime Officer Chief Superintendent Edmund Agyemang Badu confirmed the incident to Rich FM News, stating that the arrested suspect is in custody to assist with investigations.
“The Police can confirm the killing, but we cannot comment further as investigations are ongoing,” he said.
Police are appealing to members of the public for any information that could lead to the arrest of the fleeing suspect, Bukari Abudu.
Source: Starrfm.com.gh
