Police arrest two suspects for murder of footballer Agartha Takyiwa

Police in Techiman have arrested two suspects in connection with the murder of 22-year-old Agartha Takyiwa, a footballer with Fabulous Ladies. The arrest follows the fatal stabbing of the athlete on October 29, 2026, during a violent robbery while she was working as a commercial tricycle rider. The suspects allegedly attacked Takyiwa to steal her vehicle and mobile phone, an incident that has sent shockwaves through the local sports community and the Techiman municipality.

According to Coach Nana Atuahene of the Fabulous Ladies, the breakthrough in the investigation came after the authorities tracked the location of Takyiwa’s stolen mobile phone. The assailants reportedly ambushed the player during her shift, inflicting fatal stab wounds before fleeing with her belongings. The tracking of the mobile device led the police directly to the suspects, who are currently being held in custody as investigations continue into the circumstances surrounding the attack.

The tragic death of Takyiwa has highlighted the precarious financial situation of many female athletes in Ghana. At the time of the incident, she was preparing for the upcoming Women’s Division One League but relied on operating a tricycle to supplement her income. Coach Atuahene emphasized the amateur status of women’s football in the country, noting that the lack of professional contracts often forces players into high-risk jobs to make ends meet. He described these economic hurdles as a major challenge for the development of the women’s game.

The management of Fabulous Ladies is preparing to formally inform the Ghana Football Association (GFA) of the player's passing and the subsequent arrests. The club and the wider football fraternity have expressed profound grief over the loss of a promising talent whose life was cut short by a senseless act of violence. As the legal proceedings against the two suspects commence, the case has sparked a broader conversation about the need for better economic protections and security for female footballers across the nation.