The Ghana Police Service has arrested and arraigned self-acclaimed pastor Nana Yaw Bonsu Kwarteng over allegations that he defrauded women using false promises of marriage, blackmail and other fraudulent schemes.
Kwarteng appeared before Accra Circuit Court One alongside his wife, Sally Akosua Amoasah. Both face charges of conspiracy to commit crime, namely defrauding by false pretences, defrauding by false pretences, and the non-consensual sharing of intimate images.
The court remanded Kwarteng into Police custody, with his next appearance scheduled for 6 August. Amoasah was granted bail.
According to a Ghana Police Service statement copied to the Ghana News Agency on Monday, preliminary investigations suggest Kwarteng presented himself online as a pastor conducting church services on Instagram.
Police allege that he used the platform to target women and told them that God had revealed they would become his future wives.
The statement said Kwarteng allegedly built confidence among the women by meeting members of their families and giving them promise rings. He is also accused of obtaining intimate images from some victims and using those images to pressure them into making payments.
Investigators further allege that Kwarteng introduced some of the women to a fictitious car tyre business. He reportedly collected thousands of dollars from them by claiming the money was needed to ship and clear containers of tyres.
After receiving the money, he allegedly became unreachable.
Police said further inquiries had found that Kwarteng allegedly shared intimate images belonging to some victims with Amoasah. She is also accused of threatening the women involved.
Seven victims have so far reported the matter to the Police, while investigators believe the alleged offences began in 2021.
The Ghana Police Service said it was continuing to receive complaints from other possible victims. It appealed to anyone who may have experienced similar incidents involving Kwarteng to report the matter at their nearest Police station.
Police said such reports would help support the ongoing investigation.
The allegations have not been tested in court.
