Tarkwa: A 28-year-old unemployed man, Emmanuel Takyi, has been sentenced to 15 years imprisonment with hard labor by the Tarkwa circuit court after pleading guilty to charges of stealing and preparing to rob his former employer. According to Ghana News Agency, Takyi was convicted by the court presided over by Mrs. Hathia Ama Manu. The prosecution, led by Police Chief Inspector Abraham Ayitey, detailed that the complainant is a gold buyer residing in Wassa Japa, within the Wassa Amenfi East Municipality, but originally from Derma in the Tano South District of the Ahafo Region, just like Takyi. Two months prior, Takyi was employed at the complainant's gold refinery shop located at Wassa Dadieso near Wassa Akropong. During his employment, Takyi stole GHS28,000 from the shop and subsequently used the funds to lodge in Koforidua, with plans to travel abroad, ultimately squandering all the money. Chief Inspector Ayitey further revealed that Takyi, in collaboration with a witness in the case, devised a plan to re turn to Wassa Akropong to rob the complainant. The witness, who shared the same hometown as the complainant, feigned interest in the robbery plan but discreetly alerted the complainant through a worker about Takyi's intentions. The operation was scheduled for Sunday, September 29, 2024, but the police were tipped off that day at the Wassa Akropong police station. They received specific details, including the vehicle's registration number, Takyi's attire, and his seat in the vehicle traveling from Kumasi to Wassa Akropong. Upon receiving the information, the police established a temporary checkpoint at Nkonya near Wassa Akropong. When the vehicle arrived, they arrested Takyi and the witness. Takyi confessed to the charges in his caution statement, citing financial hardship as the reason for his actions.