In a case that has shaken the Wassa Amenfi East municipality, a 26-year-old barber, Richard Amoako—also known as “Jordan”—has been sentenced to 20 years imprisonment with hard labor for a violent robbery attempt at a gold-buying office. Amoako, along with his accomplice Paa Kwasi, a 30-year-old mason from Kumasi who later died from injuries sustained during the incident, conspired to rob the “Same God” gold-buying office located in Wassa Nkonya.
The Tarkwa Circuit Court presiding judge, Mrs. Hathia Ama Manu, handed down the sentence after Amoako pleaded guilty to charges of conspiracy and robbery. The judge ruled that the sentences on both counts would run concurrently, resulting in a 20-year prison term for Amoako.
The prosecution, led by Police Chief Superintendent Alex Odonkor, recounted that the plot unfolded over several days. Amoako and Paa Kwasi had traveled from Kumasi to the Wassa Mampong area with the intention of robbing a gold-buying business. On October 16, 2024, around midday, the two men arrived at Wassa Nkonya on a motorbike, equipped with a cutlass they had concealed within their clothing. They then approached the “Same God” office under the guise of selling gold and waited for an opportune moment when only 22-year-old employee Osman Adams was present.
Upon entering the office, Amoako engaged Adams in a discussion over weighing the small piece of gold they had presented. In a sudden escalation, Paa Kwasi pulled out the cutlass and inflicted a severe slash to Adams’s neck, causing him to bleed profusely. Startled by Adams’s screams, the assailants attempted to flee the scene, but community members were quick to respond, rushing the injured victim to Wassa Akropong Government Hospital for emergency treatment.
The town’s residents, enraged by the brutal attack, apprehended Amoako and his accomplice and subjected them to intense beatings. Upon receiving a tip-off, local police officers intervened and transported the two suspects to the hospital for medical attention. Tragically, Paa Kwasi succumbed to his injuries shortly after, while Amoako was treated, discharged, and subsequently taken into custody for questioning.
During the investigation, Amoako confessed to his involvement in the robbery plot with his now-deceased accomplice. Authorities recovered the cutlass used in the assault, preserving it as key evidence. Additionally, the court ordered Amoako’s family to pay GHS10,000 in damages to Richard Quansah, the owner of the “Same God” gold-buying office.
