Court directs termination of pregnancy of rape victim

Akyem Swedru (E/R), Dec. 05, GNA - Mr Justice Edward Kwame Bosompem Apenkwah, presiding over an Akyem Swedru Circuit Court on Tuesday directed the termination of a three-month pregnancy of an incestuous rape victim to save her future.

He gave the order when Kwesi Asamoah, a 39-year-old small-scale diamond miner at Akwatia, appeared before the court for allegedly raping his 16-year-old daughter that resulted in the pregnancy. Asamoah's plea was not taken and was remanded into Police custody to re-appear on Tuesday, January 2.

Prosecuting, Assistant Superintendent of Police, (ASP) Ayamga Yakubu told the court that the complainant was a former wife of the accused.

He said about 16 years ago, the complainant and Asamoah met at Dunkwa-On-Offin; got married and had two issues including the victim. The Prosecutor said Asamoah later abandoned the complainant and her two daughters for about 14 years until January 2006 when the couple met again.

ASP Yakubu said Asamoah pleaded with the complainant to forgive him and she agreed and they re-united as married couple.

He said after sometime Asamoah left the complainant again with the excuse that his parents had objected to the re-union.

The Prosecutor said in March 2006, the complainant sent the victim to stay with Asamoah's mother at Akwatia to learn a trade. ASP Yakubu said after a few months Asamoah's mother sacked the victim, who went to stay with her father.

He said on August 25, Asamoah took advantage of the absence of people in the house and raped the victim after which he warned her not to tell anyone otherwise he (Asamoah) would kill her. The Prosecution said a few days later Asamoah found the victim in the company of another man and became annoyed.

ASP Yakubu said Asamoah dragged the victim into his room and assaulted her; tore her dress, panties and beads after which he (Asamoah) mixed pepper with mashed kenkey and inserted it into her genitals and afterwards raped her.

He said the victim, who could not endure the ordeal anymore, informed some witnesses including Asamoah's mother and the complainant, who was living at Agona Asamang in the Ashanti Region.

The Prosecution said the victim was sent to the Seventh Day Adventist (SDA) Hospital at Agona Asamang by the complainant and when she examined it was proved that she was three months pregnant.