Police Launch Manhunt After Wildlife Guard Richard Otwey Killed in Kakum Forest Reserve

On August 22, 2026, a tragic incident claimed the life of a dedicated officer at the Kakum Forest Reserve in the Assin South District. Richard Otwey, a 58-year-old Wildlife Resource Guard, was shot and killed while conducting a routine anti-poaching patrol. Otwey was part of a three-man team tasked with protecting the reserve’s ecosystem when they encountered two individuals suspected of illegal hunting activities deep within the forest. The encounter quickly escalated into a fatal confrontation as the guards attempted to perform their duties.

According to police reports, the patrol team intercepted two men, identified as Bukari Abudu and John Mensah. During an attempt to arrest the suspects, Abudu allegedly fired a weapon at the guards, striking Otwey in the chest. The 58-year-old guard died instantly from his injuries. While the other members of the patrol managed to apprehend John Mensah, the primary shooter, Bukari Abudu, managed to evade capture and fled into the dense forest. Otwey’s body was later recovered by his colleagues from beneath a Wawa tree near the site of the shooting.

Chief Superintendent Edmund Agyemang Badu has confirmed that a full investigation is underway. Police investigators processed the scene and recovered significant evidence, including a single-barrel gun and a spent cartridge. John Mensah remains in custody assisting with the inquiry, while the body of the deceased has been transported to a morgue for autopsy and forensic examination. Authorities are now appealing to the general public and local communities surrounding the reserve to provide any information that might lead to the location and arrest of the fugitive, Bukari Abudu.

This fatal shooting highlights the increasing risks and physical dangers faced by wildlife guards and law enforcement officers dedicated to preserving Ghana’s natural heritage. As poaching activities continue to pose a threat to biodiversity, the death of Richard Otwey serves as a somber reminder of the high stakes involved in forest conservation. Officials have reiterated their commitment to securing protected areas and ensuring that acts of violence against state personnel are met with the full rigour of the law.