The lifeless body of Richard Otwey being conveyed from the scene of the incident
A Wildlife Resource Guard, identified as Richard Otwey, 58, has been shot dead at the Kakum Forest Reserve in the Assin South District of the Central Region.
He was allegedly killed by a suspected poacher when the forest guard was on his usual patrol operation in the Forest Reserve.
The unfortunate incident occurred on Saturday, August 22, 2026, at the Assin Kruwa portion of the forest reserve.
The deceased, who was attached to the Kakum Wildlife Division of the Forestry Commission, was with two other forestry guards when they allegedly encountered two men hunting inside the protected forest.
According to the police, they received information about the shooting at about 8:25 a.m. on Saturday and proceeded to the scene with officials from the Forestry Commission’s Wildlife Division Law Enforcement Unit.
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.
Preliminary investigation by the police revealed that the forestry guards attempted to arrest two men, identified as Bukari Abudu and John Mensah, who were hunting in 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.
Bukari Abudu remains at large, with police efforts underway to apprehend him.
The body of the deceased was subsequently conveyed to the Abura Dunkwa Government Hospital Mortuary for preservation and autopsy.
The Central North Regional Crime Officer, Chief Supt Edmund Agyemang Badu, told journalists that the arrested suspect has been detained to assist with investigations.
He appealed to the public to provide any information that could lead to the arrest of the runaway suspect.
“The Police can confirm the killing, but we cannot comment further as investigations are ongoing,” he indicated.
From Emmanuel Opoku