Anyass Ibrahim, the suspended Siano Academy coach, said to have sexually abused 16-year-old footballer, Ransford Owusu Ansah, has been granted a police enquiry bail.
This was after the police arrested him on November 4, 2025, to assist with investigations.
Ransford Owusu Ansah died of liver and kidney-related conditions
Meanwhile, a review of the medical reports so far submitted by the deceased's mother, Ama Asantewaa, from the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) and the Maternal and Child Health Hospital (Children's Hospital in Kumasi) suggests that the deceased was treated for liver and kidney-related conditions before his death earlier this year.
According to the police, preliminary investigations have established that after the death of Ransford Owusu in February 2025, his mother, Ama Asantewaa, reported to the Amasaman Police that her son, who used to be a junior footballer at the Siano Soccer Academy, had fallen ill and died on February 28, 2025.
She indicated to the Police that, before her son's demise, he had confided in her that his coach, Anyass Ibrahim, had sexually abused him.
The case was subsequently taken over by the Homicide Unit of CID at the Headquarters.
On November 4, 2025, suspect Anyass Ibrahim was arrested to assist the investigation.
He was interrogated, his statement was taken, and later granted bail to be reporting at the CID Headquarters.
The case gained public interest and attention this November after the mother of the deceased had gone on radio to allege that her son confided in her before his demise, that his coach, Anyass Ibrahim, had sexually abused him.
Following that, videos shared on social media showing the coach and the deceased and other boys from the academy in close contact have generated public discussion with the hashtag #JusticeForRansford gaining traction.
This has prompted the latest police action and an update statement form the Ministry of Gender and Social Protection
Attached below are copies of the statements from the police and the Gender Ministry
POLICE UPDATE ON THE DEATH OF RANSFORD OWUSU, A JUNIOR FOOTBALLER OF SIANO SOCCER ACADEMY
The Homicide Unit of the Ghana Police Service is investigating the circumstances surrounding the death of Ransford Owusu, a 16-year-old boy who was allegedly sexually abused by a coach at Siano Soccer Academy in Accra.
Preliminary investigations have established that after the death of Ransford Owusu in February, 2025, his mother, Ama Asantewaa, reported to the Amasaman Police that her son who used to be a junior footballer at the Siano Soccer Academy had fallen ill and died on 28th February, 2025. She indicated to the Police that, before her son's demise, he had confided in her that his coach, Anyass Ibrahim, had sexually abused him.
The case was subsequently taken over by the Homicide Unit of CID the Headquarters.
On 4th November, 2025, suspect Anyass Ibrahim was arrested to assist the investigation.
He was interrogated, his statement was taken and later granted bail to be reporting at the CID Headquarters.
A review of the medical reports so far submitted by the deceased's mother from the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) and the Maternal and Child Health Hospital (Children's Hospital, Kumasi suggest that the deceased was treated for liver and kidney related conditions.
Efforts are ongoing by the Police to obtain the deceased's medical report from the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) and the Maternal and Child Health Hospital (Children's Hospital, Kumasi, for confirmation since both facilities had provided medical care to the deceased prior to his demise. Accordingly, a court order has been secured to be served on both hospitals since earlier formal requests for the reports had been
Gender Ministry statement
The Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection (MoGCSP) in an update on the tragic case of 16-year-old footballer, Ransford Owusu Ansah, said the victim had been under the coach’s care for three years and was allegedly subjected to continuous abuse, unbeknownst to his mother.
The teenager, who had been receiving medical attention since December 2024, was later admitted to the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, where he sadly passed away. The Siano Soccer Academy has since suspended the coach and pledged full cooperation with law enforcement authorities.
The Ministry, through its Ashanti Regional Directorate of Gender, immediately initiated investigations and engaged the victim’s family after learning of the incident. The Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection had earlier engaged the Ghana Football Association (GFA) in February 2025 to strengthen child protection mechanisms within football academies.
The case was first referred to the Greater Accra Regional Domestic Violence and Victim Support Unit (DOVVSU) through the Ministry’s Orange Support Centre and has since been transferred to the Homicide Unit of the CID Headquarters for further investigation.
The Ministry reaffirmed its commitment to safeguarding the rights and welfare of all children, urging the public to report cases of abuse through the Domestic Violence Call Centre (0800-111-222) or at the nearest Social Welfare or DOVVSU office.
Writer's email: enoch.frimpong@graphic.com.gh
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