A man has been accused of allegedly raping a heavily pregnant married woman in Ghana’s Northern Region.
The incident happened on Tuesday, December 9, 2019 at Tijo in the Mion District—while the victim, who is said to be around seven-month pregnant, was returning from the farm with livestock at about 3 pm local time.
The attacker who has been named as 25-year-old Lukeman Fuseini Sanche, allegedly came out of a nearby bush, pounced on the victim and had sexual intercourse with her.
He was subsequently arrested on Saturday dawn in the same community —following a formal complaint by Musah Braimah, husband of the victim.
The Criminal Investigation Department of the Police Service in the Northern Region has confirmed receipt of a medical report after the victim was referred for examination at the Tamale Teaching Hospital.
Regional Crime Officer, Superintendent Kwabena Otuo Acheampong said the suspect has been detained and is assisting police with investigations.
“The suspect is at the Regional CID and hopefully on Monday he will be put before a court”, Superintendent Otuo Acheampong further stated in a brief statement on Saturday.
Ghanaian criminal law recognizes incest, sexual harassment, child sexual abuse, and rape as sexual offences that attract firm punishment.
The Ghana Criminal Act 1960 (Act 29) makes these engagements criminal and punishable by imprisonment.
Section 98 of the Act restrictively defines rape as ‘the carnal knowledge of a female of sixteen years or above without her consent.’
It goes on to state that, ‘A person who commits rape commits a first degree felony and is liable on conviction to a term of imprisonment of not less than five years and not more than twenty-five years.’
By Jonathan Ofori, Daily Mail GH
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