Kwabenya Court grants GH¢60,000 bail to preacher accused of incest and assault

The Kwabenya Circuit Court has granted bail in the sum of GH¢60,000 with three sureties to Godwin Asher, a 40-year-old preacher and mason accused of incest and causing harm to his biological daughter. The accused, who appeared in court with his counsel, Godfred Anim Darko, pleaded not guilty to the charges and is expected to reappear on September 23, 2025. Counsel for Asher argued that his client was not a flight risk, had a fixed place of abode, and that bail should not serve as punishment but rather allow him adequate time to prepare his defence and access legal counsel.

According to the prosecution, led by Inspector Diana Achana, the victim is currently living with a relative in Pokuase, near Accra. The case began when a 64-year-old beautician and neighbour of the accused observed the victim bleeding from her right palm on August 2, 2025. Upon inquiry, the victim disclosed that she sustained the injury while gripping a cutlass in self-defence during an altercation in which Asher allegedly forcefully pulled it from her. The complainant then assisted her in lodging a formal report with the police.

Investigations further revealed that Asher had allegedly been engaging in sexual intercourse with the victim, with the most recent incident reported to have occurred on July 30, 2025. A police medical form was subsequently issued, and the victim underwent medical examination and treatment. While the prosecution left the issue of bail to the discretion of the Court, the allegations continue to form the basis of the trial, which has now been adjourned for further proceedings.

This case highlights the delicate balance the courts maintain between safeguarding victims’ rights and upholding the legal principle of presumption of innocence until proven guilty. As it proceeds, the matter is expected to attract significant public interest due to the gravity of the charges.