A suspect connected to the shooting that killed a wildlife officer at the Kalakpa Forest Reserve has been found dead in police custody at Abutia Kloe in the Ho West District, according to local authorities.
The Assembly Member for the Abutia Kloe Electoral Area, Fredrick Tengey, said the suspect was discovered dead in a police cell where he was being held pending investigations. He stated that initial indications suggested the death may have been self-inflicted, though he stressed that official confirmation from police was still pending.
Police authorities have not issued a public statement on the circumstances surrounding the suspect’s death. However, the family of the deceased wildlife officer has been formally informed of the development.
The case follows the fatal shooting of a 28-year-old wildlife officer, Raphael Ganyo, in the early hours of Tuesday, January 6, 2026. The incident occurred near the Zitoe Camp within the Kalakpa Forest Reserve.
According to the Forestry Commission, Mr Ganyo was part of a patrol team responding to suspected poaching activity when they encountered an armed individual near the boundary of the reserve. During the encounter, the officer was shot and later died from his injuries.
Following the shooting, a suspect was arrested and placed in police custody as investigations began. The death of the suspect while in custody has now introduced a second line of inquiry, focusing on the conditions of detention and the cause of death.
Mr Tengey said he received information from the family of the late wildlife officer that the suspect had died in the cell and that they had identified the body. He added that he was yet to receive official confirmation from the district police commander at the time he spoke.
The Ghana Police Service has not confirmed whether an autopsy has been ordered or whether independent investigations will be conducted into the custody death. Police procedure typically requires a formal inquiry whenever a detainee dies in custody.
As of the time of reporting, no further details have been released about the suspect’s identity or the progress of investigations into the shooting. Authorities say both incidents remain under investigation, and conclusions will only be drawn after forensic and procedural reviews are completed.