-Police uncover murder‑for‑hire plot from inside Ankaful Maximum Prison;
-Chief arrested for GH¢50,000 contract
-Ghost of slain queen mother haunts hitman into confession
By Gifty Boateng
In a chilling revelation that has exposed gaping holes in prison security, police have disclosed that a convicted armed robber serving 77 years at Ankaful Maximum Security Prison was contracted by a traditional chief to assassinate a queen mother.
The victim, Nana Serwaa Gyan Kuma, 42, traditional ruler of Abamba, a town near Atebubu, was shot dead at her residence on February 25, 2026. She had just returned from her popular chop bar, Ohema’s Kitchen. A post‑mortem report attributed her death to massive chest injuries.
Days before her death, the queen mother had won a land dispute in court against the chief of Akokoa, Nana Owusu Sankofi II (also known as Charles Kofi Owusu). Dissatisfied with the ruling, the chief allegedly contracted the jailed robber to eliminate her for a fee of GH¢50,000.
Police say the mastermind, Kofi Owusu, was the leader of an armed robbery gang before his imprisonment. From inside Ankaful, he allegedly continues to control gang members on the outside through means yet to be officially determined.
On 25 February, hitmen travelled from Accra to Atebubu to execute the deal.
The shooter, Nana Yaw Bediako, has confessed, telling investigators that the chief contracted them. Accomplices Abdul‑Razak Ibrahim Langa (alias Zak) and Isahaku Alhassan (Sule Yangani) have also been arrested. Langa reportedly confessed after claiming he was being haunted by the ghost of the queen mother.
Inspector General of Police Tetteh Yohuno, who led a media briefing, said he deployed a joint team of intelligence officers, cyber units, anti‑robbery teams, and regional command officers after the murder was reported.
The case remained unsolved until police recently foiled a planned robbery at Kasoa. During interrogation, Langa implicated the others. Investigators used mobile money transfers, phone records, and a crime scene reconstruction to piece together the murder plot.
Police further allege that the Akokoa chief attempted to bribe officers with GH¢200,000 at the time of his arrest including an immediate GH¢100,000 cash payment. The money has been seized and will be used as evidence.
Also arrested is Raymond Agyemang Darko, the Abakomahene of Akokoa, and others. Five key suspects are in custody, while some have already been arraigned.
In a related development, police announced the arrest of six suspects in connection with a fatal armed robbery at the GB Oil filling station near Atebubu on May 2, 2026. The attack claimed two lives and left others injured. Gunmen abducted a female attendant and stole cash.
Police operations across Techiman, Atebubu, and surrounding areas led to the recovery of weapons and the identification of gang leaders and financiers.
The revelations have sparked public shock and anger. Many are asking: How could a prisoner serving 77 years orchestrate a murder from behind bars?
Citizens have expressed deep concern over the unchecked use of mobile phones in prisons, linking it to mobile money fraud and other crimes traced to correctional facilities. There are suspicions that some prison warders facilitate these acts for a fee.
The IGP vowed that intelligence‑led operations would continue. “These operations will continue so that law‑abiding citizens of the town can live their lives and carry out their normal business activities without any fear of criminal attacks,” he said.
The Bono‑East Regional Police Commander has extended condolences to the families of the victims and assured the public of continued investigations to ensure justice.