Sunyani Fire: Police Arrest 58-Year-Old Man Over Death of Sub-chief and Wife at Asuakwa
- Police in Sunyani have arrested Kodom Stephen in connection with a fire that killed a sub-chief and his wife at Asuakwa near New Dormaa
- The Sunyani District Court has remanded the suspect, who is 58 years old, after he was charged with murder and causing unlawful damage
- NADMO estimates the total loss from the fire to be between GH₵400,000 and GH₵600,000, with the couple’s 11-bedroom home also destroyed
Police in Sunyani have made a breakthrough in the investigation into the recent fire disaster at Asuakwa near Sunyani New Dormaa, which claimed the lives of a sub-chief, Nana Ameyaw Ampofo, 65, and his wife, Grace Adu Boafoaa, 49.
Source: Original
A 58-year-old suspect, Kodom Stephen, has been arrested in Wenchi in connection with the tragic fire outbreak following what the police described as 'credible intelligence'.
YEN.com.gh can confirm that he has since been charged with murder and causing unlawful damage.
The suspect was arraigned before the Sunyani District Court on Monday, November 3, 2025, and was remanded by the presiding judge, His Worship Eric Daning, to reappear on November 11, 2025.
The devastating fire, which occurred on October 20, 2025, during a heavy downpour, reduced the couple's home to ashes. The victims were found burnt beyond recognition after the blaze.
Sunyani fire suspect appears in court
According to a press release issued by the Bono Regional Police Public Relations Officer (PRO), Chief Inspector Thomas Akeelah, the suspect was apprehended on November 1, 2025, at Wenchi after a tip-off that led police investigators to his hideout.
Chief Inspector Akeelah stated:
“The suspect has been arraigned before the Sunyani District Court on two provisional counts of murder and causing unlawful damage, while police continue further investigations into the tragic incident.”
Meanwhile, a preliminary assessment by the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) in Sunyani confirmed that the building and its contents were destroyed.
Details about the suspect are still unfolding, and his involvement in the fire outbreak is yet to be known, but for now, he is the prime suspect, and he is contributing to the investigation.
NADMO estimates massive property loss in fire
According to the Sunyani Municipal Director of NADMO, Abdulai Mansuru, approximately GHS400,000 to GHS600,000 worth of properties were destroyed in the tragic fire outbreak.
The losses, he said, included fridges, television sets, sound systems, sofas, beds, mattresses, a Toyota Highlander, a pickup vehicle, dresses, and other personal belongings.
This, he said, excluded the contents of the 11 bedrooms within the house.
Source: Getty Images
Couple dies in late-night fire at Sunyani
Previously, YEN.com.gh reported that the sub-chief and his wife had perished in a fire at Sunyani when flames swept through their home at Asuakwa near New Dormaa.
Residents said they had heard the couple screaming for help but could not get close as the fire raged out of control, while heavy rain poured down at the same time.
The Fire Service and police initiated investigations, with NADMO warning that the burnt structure needed to be demolished as the damage had rendered it beyond saving.
Proofreading by Bruce Douglas, copy editor at YEN.com.gh.
Source: YEN.com.gh
