A junior pastor, Stephen Yaw Gyamfi of Blessed Gate Worship Centre in Mim, Ahafo Region, has been sentenced to 10 years in prison for defrauding a teacher under the false promise of securing her a teaching job in Malaysia.
The Nsuta Circuit Court, presided over by His Lordship Simon Nketiah Gagah, handed down the sentence on Friday, August 7, 2026, after Gyamfi pleaded guilty to the offence.
The victim, 41-year-old teacher Abigail Darkwah, was introduced to the pastor in January 2025 by a colleague who believed he could help her secure employment in Malaysia.
Gyamfi reportedly asked her to pay US$4,300, then equivalent to about GH¢73,100, claiming the money would cover her visa processing and flight ticket.
Darkwah first paid GH¢15,000, before giving him another GH¢58,100 after he allegedly told her that her visa had been approved and was close to expiring.
He later demanded an additional GH¢3,800 for hotel accommodation and GH¢1,900 for travel insurance, bringing the total amount she paid to GH¢78,800.
After receiving the money, Gyamfi allegedly disappeared. The victim then reported the matter to the Regional Criminal Investigations Department (RCID) in Mampong.
Police later traced and arrested him at Mim on June 22, 2026, following a wireless alert issued to the Mim Police. He was subsequently taken to the Mampong RCID for further investigations.
During interrogation, Gyamfi admitted to the offence in his cautioned statement and was subsequently prosecuted.
Although the court gave him the opportunity to refund the money, he managed to pay back only GH¢10,000, leaving GH¢68,800 outstanding.
The court ordered that the GH¢10,000 be handed over to the victim and advised her to pursue a civil case to recover the remaining amount after Gyamfi serves his sentence.
The court said the 10-year prison term was intended to deter others from using fraudulent employment and travel schemes to exploit unsuspecting victims.
