Tragedy in Achiase: 24-Year-Old Miner Jailed for Burning Down Stepfather’s Home in Fiery Revenge

In a shocking tale of family betrayal and heartbreak, a 24-year-old small-scale miner, Richard Arthur—also known as Afianga—has been sentenced to two years in prison by the Tarkwa Circuit Court for an unthinkable act of destruction. The young man deliberately set his stepfather’s modest mud house ablaze, reducing the home—and a lifetime of cherished belongings worth GH¢50,000—to ashes.

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‎This grim story unfolded in Achiase, a small community near Aboso in the Prestea Huni-Valley Municipality, leaving the town in disbelief. For Kojo Donkor, a humble farmer and the victim of this tragic event, the loss extends far beyond material possessions.
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‎Son Betrayal
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‎Kojo Donkor had selflessly taken Richard in as his own son, marrying the boy’s mother when Richard was just four years old. Over the years, Donkor worked tirelessly to care for Richard and his siblings, hoping to give them a better future.
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‎But as Richard grew older, his life took a darker turn. Falling prey to hard drugs, he developed troubling behavior that brought tension into the once-loving household. This tension finally boiled over in September 2024, when an argument over stolen rice escalated into a fiery disaster.
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‎The incident occurred on September 5, 2024, when Donkor discovered that Richard had been stealing rice meant for his younger siblings and using it at his mining site. When confronted, Richard flew into a rage, threatening his stepfather and chasing him out of the house.
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‎Two hours later, Donkor returned home to find his worst nightmare realized—his single-room mud house was engulfed in flames. The blaze consumed everything: treasured kente cloths, farming tools, cooking utensils, bedding, and more. The house, worth GH¢20,000, and personal items valued at GH¢50,000, were gone in an instant.
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‎“I stood there watching my entire life burn,” Donkor reportedly told friends. “It wasn’t just a house. It was my family’s shelter, our memories, and the fruits of years of labor.”
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‎Richard fled the scene after committing the arson, leaving his stepfather devastated and homeless. But justice caught up with him when, weeks later, on September 30, 2024, vigilant youth from the nearby Gangway community apprehended him in his hideout and handed him over to the police.
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‎During the investigation, Richard admitted to the crime and even demonstrated how he carried out the arson. His guilty plea before the court confirmed the charges of unlawful damage, and he begged for forgiveness.
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‎The Emotional Toll
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‎The community of Achiase has been left grappling with this tragedy, wondering how such a young man could commit such a heartbreaking act against the very person who raised him.
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‎Neighbors recall Kojo Donkor as a kind and hardworking man who didn’t deserve such betrayal. “He took care of him like his own son,” said a neighbor. “This is just heartbreaking.”
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‎For Donkor, the emotional scars may take far longer to heal than the two-year sentence Arthur received.
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‎Lessons for Us All
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‎This serves as a painful reminder of how substance abuse and unresolved family conflicts can tear apart even the strongest bonds. It’s a call for families and communities to address these issues before they escalate into irreversible tragedies.
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‎As Donkor begins the difficult task of rebuilding his life from the ashes, one hopes that Richard’s time in prison will serve as a turning point for him—a chance to reflect on his actions and work toward redemption.
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