A 58-year-old Wildlife Resource Guard, Richard Otwey, has been shot dead by a suspected poacher during a patrol operation at the Kakum Forest Reserve in the Assin South District of the Central Region.
The deceased, who was attached to the Kakum Wildlife Division of the Forestry Commission, was on patrol with two other forestry guards when they reportedly encountered two men hunting inside the protected forest.
The incident occurred on Saturday, August 22, 2026, at the Assin Kruwa portion of the reserve.
Police received information about the shooting at about 8:25 a.m. and proceeded to the scene with officials of the Forestry Commission’s Wildlife Division.
Upon arrival, the team found Richard Otwey’s body lying under a wawa tree, about 60 metres from the boundary of the reserve, with a gunshot wound to the chest.
A search of the area led to the recovery of a spent cartridge, footprints and a single-barrel gun, which have been preserved as exhibits.
According to preliminary police enquiries, the forestry guards attempted to arrest the two men, identified as Bukari Abudu and John Mensah, after allegedly finding them hunting inside the reserve without lawful authority.
Bukari Abudu is said to have pulled out a single-barrel gun and fired at Richard Otwey, killing him instantly.
The two men reportedly fled into the forest, but the patrol team pursued them and managed to arrest John Mensah.
John Mensah has since been detained by the Police to assist with investigations, while Bukari Abudu remains at large.
Police have launched efforts to apprehend the fleeing suspect and are appealing to members of the public with information on his whereabouts to assist the investigation.
The body of the deceased was subsequently conveyed to the Abura Dunkwa Government Hospital morgue for preservation and further examination.
The Central North Regional Crime Officer, Chief Superintendent Edmund Agyemang Badu, has confirmed the incident and said the arrested suspect is assisting the Police with investigations.
“The Police can confirm the killing, but we cannot comment further as investigations are ongoing,” Chief Superintendent Agyemang Badu said.
The incident has highlighted the dangers faced by wildlife and forestry personnel who patrol protected areas to prevent illegal hunting and other activities that threaten Ghana’s forest and wildlife resources.
Police investigations are continuing as authorities work to establish the full circumstances surrounding the shooting and arrest the suspect who remains at large.
By Stephen Kwaku Owusu Mintah
Ahotoronline, Accra.
