Corn miller gets 15 years for impregnating daughter

Accra, March 10, GNA - Robert Akpanaga, a 59 year-old Corn mill operator who slept with his 21 year old daughter resulting in pregnancy has been sentenced to 15 years imprisonment. Akpanaga, who pleaded guilty to the charges of incest under section 195A (1) of Act 29/60, was convicted on his own plea. Akpanaga told an Accra Circuit Court presided over by Mrs Georgina Mensah-Datsa that even though he had three children he was not married.

Inspector A.A. Ahor, the prosecutor, narrating the facts of the case said the Police on February 28, 2011, received information that the accused, who operates a corn mill at Dunyo, near Mayera, a suburb of Accra, had impregnated his biological daughter. Inspector Ahor said Akpanaga was arrested and in his caution statement admitted to having sex with the victim that resulted in the pregnancy.

Inspector Ahor said the Police charged the accused with the offence after investigations and arraigned him at the court. Mrs Georgina Mensah-Datsa, the trial judge while sentencing the accused, asked him what plans he had made for the victim and the unborn child.

Akpanaga answered that he had registered the victim with the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS). Mrs Mensah-Datsa also asked the accused who would name the child after delivery and whether the child would refer to him as a father or grandfather.

Akpanaga who appeared embarrassed by the question from the judge could, however, not reply. 10 March 2011