By Muyid Deen Suleman
Ejisu (Ash), April 07, GNA – Reverend Dr Joseline Fugar, Executive Director of Juniper Tree Tamar, a Christian NGO based in Kumasi, has called for collective efforts from all stakeholders to help prevent child sexual abuse.
She said even though there had been lots of advocacy, child sexual abuse continued to increase, especially in the advent of internet and social media, where innocent children were falling prey to sexual predators.
Speaking at the second phase of a child sexual abuse essay writing competition and awards ceremony for school children in the Ejisu Municipality, she said there was the need for collective efforts to speak out against injustice and remain vigilant in protecting the vulnerable.
The essay competition, which involved ten (10) Junior High Schools and thirty participants, aimed at empowering young individuals, advocate for the rejection of sexual abuse, and reduce its prevalence.
Additionally, it sought to provide education, raise awareness, and cultivate knowledgeable leaders who would serve as advocates and peer counselors to their peers.
This competition was part of Juniper Tree’s ten-year nationwide project titled, “Sexual Abuse: Prevent it, report it”, which aims to establish various clubs in JHS’s to identify and prevent sexual abuse among young individuals.
Dr Fugah highlighted that approximately thirty-three percent (33%) of children in Ghana have experienced some form of sexual abuse, with almost ninety-five percent (95%) of the perpetrators being individuals known to the victims.
A report by PLAN GHANA revealed that fifty-three percent (53%) of these incidents occurred in schools, while forty-three percent (43%) took place within homes.
Furthermore, about 14% of the victims were school children, primarily between the ages of 14 and 15.
In the JHS 1 category of the essay competition, Master Jewel Nhyira Mensah of Okyerekrom emerged as the winner with a score of 82.6%, followed by Master Duke Nana Adonteng Appiah of Ejisu Presby and Ms. Christabel Ziyaba of Kwamo M/A in the second and third place, with scores of 78% and 72%, respectively.
For the JHS 2 category, Ms. Evelyn Boakye of Okyerekrom secured first place with a score of 82.2%, while Master Annan Amawula of Ejisu Presby came in second with 75%, and Master Louis Sarfo of Kwamo M/A and Ms. Angel Abena Ntiamoah of Ejisu M/A tied for third place with a score of 78.8%.
In the JHS 3 contest, Ms. Fafa Lali Lumor of Ejisu Model claimed the top spot with a score of 85.6%, followed by Ms. Emelda Amponsah Diko of Ejisu Presby in second place with 81.4%, and Ms. Emmanuella Selikem Afeke of Ejisu R/C in third place with a score of 80%.
All participants received certificates, exercise books, and medals in recognition of their achievements.
GNA
KOM/LAA