A 58-year-old Wildlife Resource Guard, Richard Otwey, has been tragically killed in a shooting during a routine patrol in the Kakum Forest Reserve in the Central Region, sparking outrage amongst conservationists and raising serious concerns about illegal poaching activities within the protected area. The incident occurred on Saturday, August 22, 2026, when the two forestry guards were patrolling the Assin Kruwa section of the reserve, a designated area under the jurisdiction of the Kakum Wildlife Division of the Forestry Commission.
The initial report indicates that the guards attempted to apprehend two men, identified as Bukari Abudu and John Mensah, allegedly engaged in illegally hunting within the forest. According to Central North Police Command officials, the guards intercepted the suspects while conducting the patrol, leading to a confrontation. It was during this encounter that the single-barrel gun was reportedly fired by Abudu, striking Otwey in the chest and resulting in his immediate death.
The patrol team, led by officers, pursued the suspects through the dense forest, successfully apprehending John Mensah, who has since been taken into custody to assist with investigations. Police officials stated that Abudu allegedly pulled out the gun and fired at the guards, a detail that has understandably ignited significant concern within the conservation community. The exact circumstances surrounding the shooting remain unclear, but authorities confirmed that the patrol team recovered a spent cartridge, footprints, and the believed remains of the firearm, all located approximately 60 metres from the reserve boundary, suggesting a possible struggle or altercation. Investigators, who examined the scene, determined the firearm was a single-barrel gun, possibly matching the description of the weapon used in the shooting.
Chief Superintendent Edmund Agyemang Badu, the Central North Regional Crime Officer, acknowledged the incident but declined to provide further details, citing ongoing investigations. The body of Richard Otwey has been moved to the Abura Dunkwa Government Hospital Mortuary for preservation and a post-mortem examination, where investigators will determine the precise cause of death. Police are actively appealing to the public for any information that could assist in identifying and locating Abudu, emphasizing the critical importance of preventing further poaching activities within the Kakum Forest Reserve to protect the region’s wildlife and ecosystem. The incident underscores the ongoing challenges in combating illegal wildlife trafficking and safeguarding vital forest resources.
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Source: Adom Online
