Father jailed 20 years for raping biological daughter in Ghana

Conviction and Sentencing Details

A 47-year-old man, Kwame Ti-Zaaeku, has been sentenced to 20 years' imprisonment with hard labour by the Lawra Circuit Court in Ghana's Upper West Region. The court found him guilty of repeatedly raping his biological daughter and using death threats to maintain her silence over an extended period of time.

Presiding judge His Honour Stanley Adjei delivered the judgment on Friday, July 24, 2026, following a full trial. The court handed down a 20-year term for the rape charge and an additional 10-year term for the threats to kill. The court ordered that both sentences run concurrently, effectively meaning the convict will serve 20 years in prison.

Investigation into Prolonged Abuse

The conviction follows an extensive investigation by the Lawra District Police, which revealed that the sexual abuse began when the victim was a Junior High School student. Investigators established that Ti-Zaaeku employed a strategy of intimidation, consistently threatening to take the victim's life if she disclosed the abuse to any third party.

Prosecutors argued that these consistent death threats were a deliberate tactic used by the convict to keep the survivor silent for a prolonged period. The police emphasis on the case highlighted the systemic nature of the abuse and the vulnerability of the victim within the domestic setting.

Rehabilitation and Law Enforcement Response

Beyond the custodial sentence, the court has prioritized the survivor's recovery and rehabilitation. His Honour Stanley Adjei directed the Lawra Department of Social Welfare to provide the survivor with immediate counseling and psychosocial support to assist her in processing the trauma resulting from the years of abuse.

The Upper West Regional Police Command expressed satisfaction with the judicial outcome, praising the professionalism of the investigative and legal teams involved in the case. The command reaffirmed its commitment to safeguarding vulnerable citizens and urged members of the public to report incidents of domestic and sexual violence to the appropriate authorities for swift prosecution.