A 36-year-old HIV-positive ‘pragya’ rider in Somanya has been sentenced to 20 years imprisonment with hard labour for defiling a 12-year-old girl and transmitting HIV to her.
The convict, Joseph Nyarko also known as Joseph Nartey, was sentenced by the Odumase Krobo Circuit Court after admitting in a caution statement that he had unprotected sex with the victim at his home in 2024.
According to court documents, Nyarko is a known HIV patient receiving treatment at Somanya Polyclinic. Police investigations revealed he had stopped taking his antiretroviral medication for a long time. Prosecutors told the court that during that period, he engaged in unprotected sex with unsuspecting persons.
The case was reported on May 29, 2026, by the victim’s father, 68-year-old Peter Adamtey, an insurance agent. He told police he had been informed that another man, Derrick, had taken his daughter to a room at Adjikpo, a suburb of Somanya.
When the father got there, the suspect was not found. He reported the matter to DOVVSU. During questioning, the girl, now 14, disclosed that Nyarko had also forcibly had unprotected sex with her two years earlier.
A medical test later confirmed that the minor had contracted HIV.
Further investigations showed the victim had also been involved in unprotected sex with her former class teacher. Police say that suspect and Derrick are still at large.
To aid investigations, police obtained a court order on June 12, 2026, from the Somanya District Court to access Nyarko’s medical records.
After investigations, Nyarko was charged and arraigned. He was remanded before the court handed down the 20-year sentence with hard labour.
The prosecution told the court that efforts are ongoing to arrest the other two suspects.
The case has triggered calls in the Eastern Region for better monitoring of persons living with HIV and stronger child protection systems.
Source: Jaman Dehyie Opambour
