Tragedy at Kakum: Wildlife guard shot dead by suspected poacher during patrol

In a tragic incident at Kakum Forest Reserve, a Wildlife Resource Guard named Richard Otwey was fatally shot by an alleged poacher during a routine patrol on Saturday, August 22, 2026. Otwey, who was assigned to the Kakum Wildlife Division of the Forestry Commission, was patrolling with two colleagues when they encountered two men suspected of illegal hunting within the protected forest. The confrontation took place near the Assin Kruwa section of the reserve, located in the Assin South District.

Upon intercepting the suspected poachers, identified as Bukari Abudu and John Mensah, the guards attempted to apprehend them. During this effort, Abudu allegedly produced a single-barrel gun and opened fire, striking Otwey in the chest. The 58-year-old guard succumbed to his injuries at the scene. The police reported that the patrol team continued their pursuit of the suspects and successfully apprehended John Mensah, who has since been placed in police custody to aid the ongoing investigation.

Abudu, however, managed to evade capture and is still at large, prompting a search operation by the police.

Investigators visited the crime scene, situated approximately 60 meters from the reserve's boundary, where they found a spent cartridge, footprints, and the single-barrel firearm believed to have been the murder weapon. Central North Regional Crime Officer, Chief Superintendent Edmund Agyemang Badu, confirmed the incident but refrained from providing additional details due to the ongoing nature of the investigation.

The body of Otwey was taken to the Abura Dunkwa Government Hospital Mortuary for preservation and a post-mortem examination. Police have appealed to the public for any information that could lead to the arrest of Abudu, urging individuals with relevant details to assist the authorities in their ongoing investigation.