GhArticles.com Every News in Detail
A 58-year-old mason, Joshua Bledi, has been sentenced to 10 years in prison by the Kwabenya Circuit Court for committing incest with his 17-year-old daughter, resulting in her pregnancy. The victim, now a mother to a seven-month-old baby, had been subjected to repeated sexual abuse by her father, the court heard.
Bledi, a resident of Musuku, Kwabenya in Accra, pleaded guilty to the charge of incest. During the hearing, he admitted to the prosecution’s account of events and pleaded for leniency. However, the court, considering his age, the premeditated nature of the offense, and his guilty plea, convicted him and handed down a 10-year sentence.
The prosecution, led by Chief Inspector Gershon Togbe Achondo, revealed disturbing details of the case. The abuse came to light when the victim faced challenges paying medical bills during childbirth at Ga East Hospital. The hospital’s Social Welfare Department intervened, waiving her bills, and subsequent inquiries led to the victim disclosing that her father was responsible for her pregnancy. She revealed that Bledi had been sexually abusing her repeatedly since she began living with him at her mother’s request.
Chief Inspector Achondo described incest as a growing issue in the region, labeling it a “cultural abomination.” He urged the court to impose a harsh sentence to deter others from similar acts. Following the victim’s disclosure, a report was filed with the Kwabenya Domestic Violence and Victims’ Support Unit, leading to Bledi’s arrest. A police medical examination confirmed the allegations.
