By Dennis Peprah
Duayaw-Nkwanta, (Ahafo), June 26, GNA-Dr Freda Prempeh, former Deputy Minister of Gender and Social Protection, is calling for more efforts to rescue children from exploitation, abuse and maltreatment.
She pointed out that children are national, and not family assets, but child abuse remained a worst form of human rights violation, inimical to their holistic growth and development.
She called for decisive efforts to uphold and defend the rights and dignity of children.
Dr Prempeh, also the Founder of the Ultimate Women Foundation (UWF) made the call in an interview with the Ghana News Agency (GNA) at Duayaw-Nkwanta in reaction to a viral video in which a young child was being subjected to brutal and inhumane physical assaults.
The Ghana Police Service said they have arrested two suspects in connection with the crime.
Dr Prempeh explained that UWF is a women and girls centered Non-Governmental Organisation working to encourage indigenous and vulnerable women and girls to know their worth.
It works further to empower and well position women and girls to contribute to the development of their communities and the larger society.
Dr Prempeh said: “In fact, many boys, girls and aged women go through those inhumane emotional and physical assaults, especially in deprived communities clandestinely.”
She said without the support and cooperation of the public, the security services and the relevant institutions responsible could not identify and stop “the abuses children go through”.
Dr Prempeh therefore called on everybody to be bold and inform the police about child rights violations that happen at the community level.
“If we remain sensitive, we identify children, especially girls who suffered worst forms of abuse, including sexual exploitation at the community levels”, the former outspoken legislator indicated,” she said, adding, “the law must also punish culprits of child rights violation severely to uphold and defend the dignity and fundamental human rights of children.”
GNA
Edited by Benjamin Mensah