UPDATE ON INVESTIGATION INTO ALLEGED CHILD ABDUCTION CASE IN KPANDO
The Ghana Police Service wishes to provide an update on investigations into the alleged abduction of a child in Kpando, Volta Region.
On Thursday, 16 July 2026, a complaint was lodged by Madam Gloria Mansah Dzagbo, a mother of two, alleging that her child, Joel Dzidefo Acheampong, had been unlawfully taken under deceptive circumstances at the Kpando Market around 3:30pm.
According to the complainant, she had visited the market to sell groundnuts. During the transaction, her child, who was strapped to her back, began crying. The buyer, later identified as Stella Amedorme, offered to hold the child temporarily while the complainant completed her sale.
The complainant stated that after three bowls of groundnuts had been measured, she informed her that the available stock had been exhausted and that additional groundnuts would need to be collected from another shop. Trusting the suspect, the complainant briefly left the child in her care while she went to obtain the remaining quantity. Upon her return, both the suspect and the child were nowhere to be found.
Following the report, the Ghana Police Service immediately activated standard missing-child response procedures. These included obtaining photographs of the child, disseminating information through Police communication channels nationwide, and alerting relevant police formations to assist in tracing the suspect and recovering the child. A Police Medical Report Form was also issued to the complainant to facilitate immediate medical attention for the child upon recovery.
Subsequent investigations revealed that the suspect allegedly left the market with the child and travelled to another location, Bowiri Toviate, where she reportedly introduced the child to her boyfriend as their biological son. Preliminary enquiries further indicated that the suspect had previously informed the said boyfriend that she was pregnant for him.
The suspect, Stella Amedorme, who claimed to be 31 years of age and a mother of seven children, with her eldest child being 17 years old, is said to reside at Sogakope. Investigations suggest that she had allegedly misled family members and acquaintances into believing she had given birth to a child for her boyfriend and subsequently orchestrated the alleged abduction at the Kpando Market on Thursday 16th July 2026, around 3:30 pm.
The suspect was arrested on Saturday, 18 July 2026. Following her arrest, she complained of ill health and was immediately escorted under police supervision to Anfoega Catholic Hospital, where she received medical treatment and was discharged yesterday. Upon discharge, she was arraigned before the Circuit Court on Monday, 20 July 2026, presided over by Her Honour Mrs Diana Dzifa Amefinu.
The Court remanded the suspect into police custody and adjourned the case to 27 July 2026 for further proceedings.
During preliminary investigations, the suspect allegedly admitted to taking the child. However, investigations remain ongoing to establish the full circumstances surrounding the incident and to determine the motive behind the alleged act. Police investigators are examining whether the offence may have been motivated by personal, financial, or other considerations.
The recovered child was medically examined at Margaret Marquart Catholic Hospital, Kpando, and was found to be in good health. The child has since been reunited with the biological mother.
Police have also received information suggesting that the suspect had previously attempted to obtain another child through a similar approach that same day with a lady from Gbefi, around 12:30 pm. This aspect of the investigation is currently being pursued, and the Ghana Police Service appeals to members of the public with any relevant information to come forward and assist investigators.
Additionally, police are seeking the cooperation of the man whom the suspect claims was involved in, or aware of, her circumstances. At this stage, he is not considered a suspect. However, investigators are inviting him to assist with enquiries and to verify certain claims made by the accused person.
The Ghana Police Service wishes to emphasise that, notwithstanding the seriousness of the allegations, the suspect remains presumed innocent until proven guilty by a court of competent jurisdiction. Investigations are continuing, and any further legal action will be determined by the outcome of those investigations.
The Service remains committed to uncovering the full facts of the case and ensuring that justice is served. We further assure the public that every effort will continue to be made to protect vulnerable persons, particularly children, and to bring perpetrators of crime to justice.
By: Godwin Adenyo. ( Akpini Radio)
