Ministry of Gender Seeks Justice for Defiled Minor

The Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection has assured Ghanaians of its collaboration with other forces to ensure justice for the 4-year-old girl who was defiled at Assin Adadientem in the Central Region.

The Minister, Ms. Otiko Afisa Djaba, has taken certain initiatives in ensuring that the offender and all persons in connection to the crime will be brought to justice.

She said, “the defilement of any child is extremely worrying, in 2015 alone DOVVSU recorded 1,180 cases of female defilement and 16 males.”

“The Ministry wants to assure Ghanaians that we are very sensitive to issues concerning the welfare of the vulnerable in our society and will continue to promote their rights, their wellbeing and development. We are liaising with other agencies for justice to be carried out for this little girl to serve as a deterrent to such abusers,” she added.

She urged all Ghanaians to report all sexual misconduct and protect the safety of children.

“I want to emphasise that the protection of our children is a collective responsibility and I thus entreat all members of our communities to be more vigilant.”

Defilement of the 4-Year-Old Girl

An 18-year-old man identified as Kwabena had allegedly defiled a 4-year-old girl on October 13 leaving the victim in a poor state.

The victim’s mother reported the incident to the chief of the Assin Adadientem village but he dismissed the case ruling that the village gods had declared the suspect innocent.

Police are now searching for the offender to bring him to justice after the victim’s father had reported the matter to them 2 weeks earlier.

The Inspector General of Police has directed the Central Regional Police Command to take over the case and ensure justice is served for the girl, while disciplinary action should be taken against the officers for their delay and unprofessional conduct when the case was reported.

The police on Friday invited the chief of the village, Nana Aboboyaa otherwise known as John Mensah, who is also a cousin to the teenage suspect to assist in the investigations.

 

Read the full statement from Ms. Otiko Afisa Djaba below:

 

Press Release

October 27, 2017

To All Media Houses

 

THE MINISTER FOR GENDER, CHILDREN AND SOCIAL PROTECTION, HON. OTIKO AFISAH DJABA CONDEMNS THE DEFILEMENT OF 4-YEAR OLD GIRL AT ASSIN DADIENTEM

The defilement of any child is horrifying, traumatic and unacceptable. My attention has been drawn through media reports to the defilement case involving a 4-year old girl at Assin Dadientem in the Central Region. As Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection, I strongly condemn what has happened in no uncertain terms since it violates the fundamental human rights and dignity of this innocent girl.

Whilst waiting for the Police Report, I have directed officers of the Department of Social Welfare and the Children’s Department of my Ministry to visit the victim and her family to ascertain the facts about her welfare for necessary action to be taken. I am also preparing to personally pay a visit to the little girl and her family to affirm our readiness to support the victim to receive justice and restore her dignity.

We are also collaborating with the Ghana Police Service to ensure the perpetrator and all those connected to this criminal act are brought to book.

To further demonstrate our commitment to the protection of children, our officers of the Domestic Violence Unit and Children’s Department, specifically; Madam Victoria Natsu and Madam Helena Obeng- Asamoah respectively, have condemned the act (Joy News TV- 24th October, 2017 and Executive Breakfast Show on Class Fm on 26th October, 2017).

The defilement of any child is extremely worrying, in 2015 alone DOVVSU recorded 1,180 cases of female defilement and 16 males.

The Ministry wants to assure Ghanaians that we are very sensitive to issues concerning the welfare of the vulnerable in our society and will continue to promote their rights, their wellbeing and development. We are liaising with other agencies for justice to be carried out for this little girl to serve as a deterrent to such abusers.

The public is advised to report cases of defilement, rape and all forms of sexual abuses to the nearest police station or any law enforcement agency for the necessary processes to be initiated so that the evidence required by the police for investigation is not destroyed.

Parents are advised not to leave their children alone and also be very mindful of who they leave their children with when they are absent, since the perpetrators of defilement are people close to the family and/or trusted relations.

I want to emphasise that the protection of our children is a collective responsibility and I thus entreat all members of our communities to be more vigilant.

We acknowledge the role of our traditional and opinion leaders; however, we would like to advise them not to arbitrate on such criminal matters. Defilement is a criminal offence and all such acts should first be reported to the Police.

The Ministry wishes to remind the public that the survivor is a minor and we should all make an effort to protect her identity and dignity.

I would like to thank the media and the general public and assure all Ghanaians that my Ministry is following up on this case seriously to its logical conclusion.

 

Hon. Otiko Afisah Djaba

Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection

Source: thePublisher