By Isaac Arkoh
Cape Coast, May 21, GNA – A two-and-a-half-year-old boy who went missing at Assin-Awiafitaamu near Ketukrom in the Assin North District has been found dead in a bush after an intensive three-day search.
The deceased, identified as Nana Yaw, was reported missing on Wednesday, May 13, 2026. However, the case was formally reported to the Police on Friday, May 15, by his grandfather, Mr Godwin Tettey Amanor.
Mr Amanor told the Ghana News Agency that the child had been left in the care of his two siblings while their grandmother went to the farm. Upon her return, the child could not be found.
He said family members and residents immediately organised a search party and made announcements through local information centres in surrounding communities, but initial efforts proved unsuccessful.
According to him, on Sunday, May 17, at about 1639 hours, some hunters in the community discovered the body of the missing child under bushes and alerted the family, who in turn informed the Police.
A Police team led by Assistant Superintendent of Police Charles Akugre, the District Crime Officer, proceeded to the scene to commence investigations.
The Police said the body was found about two kilometres from where the child was reported missing and approximately half a kilometre from a cottage belonging to a man known as Papa Magye.
The body was lying in a supine position, dressed in an orange T-shirt and violet trousers, with bruises observed on the head and other parts of the body. A pair of rubber sandals, believed to belong to the child, was found about three feet away.
Preliminary Police assessment indicated that the child might have died in the late hours of May 16, as the body had begun decomposing.
The body has been conveyed to the Assin Foso St Francis Xavier Hospital for preservation and autopsy.
The Police said investigations were ongoing as they awaited the outcome of the autopsy report.
Some family and community members have called for a full investigation to ensure justice if foul play or negligence is established. Others have urged closer supervision of children and stronger community support systems to protect vulnerable families.
GNA
Edited by Alice Tettey/Lydia Kukua
Reporter: Isaac Arkoh