A 58-year-old Wildlife Resource Guard, Richard Otwey, has been shot dead by a suspected poacher during a patrol operation at the Kakum Forest Reserve in the Assin South District of the Central Region.
The deceased, who was attached to the Kakum Wildlife Division of the Forestry Commission, was on patrol with two other forestry guards when they reportedly encountered two men allegedly hunting inside the protected forest.
The incident occurred on Saturday, August 22, 2026, at the Assin Kruwa portion of the reserve.
Police received information about the shooting at about 8:25 a.m. and proceeded to the scene together with officials from the Forestry Commission’s Wildlife Division.
Upon arrival, the team found Richard Otwey’s body lying under a wawa tree, about 60 metres from the boundary of the reserve. He had sustained 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.
According to preliminary police investigations, the forestry guards attempted to arrest two men, identified as Bukari Abudu and John Mensah, after allegedly finding them hunting inside the reserve without lawful authority.
Police say Bukari Abudu subsequently pulled out a single-barrel gun and fired at Richard Otwey, killing him instantly.
The two suspects reportedly fled into the forest, but the patrol team pursued them and managed to arrest John Mensah.
Bukari Abudu remains at large, with the Police mounting efforts to apprehend him.
The body of the deceased was conveyed to the Abura Dunkwa Government Hospital morgue for preservation and further examination.
The Central North Regional Crime Officer, Chief Superintendent Edmund Agyemang Badu, has confirmed the incident and said the arrested suspect is in custody assisting with investigations.
“The Police can confirm the killing, but we cannot comment further as investigations are ongoing,” Chief Superintendent Agyemang Badu said.
The Police have appealed to members of the public with information on the whereabouts of the fleeing suspect to come forward and assist in his arrest.
