By Kingsley Mamore
Dambai (O/R) Oct 21, GNA – The All Regions Queenmothers Association has condemned the alleged rape case in Obuasi in the Ashanti Region, Mr Zakaria Abdulai, Headmaster of Senior Technical School, describing the incident as unfortunate, unacceptable and disrespectful to women and girls.
The Association has accordingly called on the relevant state institutions to conduct a thorough and impartial investigation into the case and ensure that anyone found guilty is made to face the full rigours of the law.
The Queenmothers said the incident had raised concerns about the protection of women and girls, access to justice and the challenges victims faced in pursuing cases of sexual violence, particularly when alleged perpetrators were influential members of society.
They stressed the need for strengthened public education, institutional accountability and adequate support systems to ensure that victims could report abuse and pursue justice without intimidation, financial constraints or undue pressure.
Nana Otubea II, President of the Association, Paramount Queenmother of the Nkonya Traditional Council and President of the Oti Regional Queenmothers Association, said sexual violence against women and girls must not be tolerated under any circumstances.
She expressed concern that some cases of sexual abuse in communities were allegedly abandoned or failed to progress because of the social and economic circumstances of victims and their families.
Nana Otubea said the situation could become particularly challenging when alleged perpetrators were influential individuals, raising concerns about whether victims and their families could pursue justice without fear or undue influence.
Speaking to the Ghana News Agency (GNA), she said some families, particularly those facing financial difficulties, might discontinue cases after receiving money or other forms of settlement, leaving victims to cope with the psychological and emotional consequences of the abuse.
She noted that such situations could leave victims without adequate counselling, guidance and other forms of support needed to recover from their experiences.
The Queenmother called on the Government to provide the necessary resources to enable Queen Mothers to intensify public education and sensitisation programmes in their communities.
She said traditional leaders, particularly Queen Mothers, were strategically positioned to educate young people about sexual violence, personal safety, consent and the importance of reporting abuse through the appropriate channels.
Nana Otubea said empowering Queen Mothers would enable them to support victims, educate families and communities, and advocate for the rights of women and girls.
Mamaga Dr Tsyrewa IV, Vice-President of the Association, Paramount Queenmother of the Have Traditional Council and President of the Volta Regional Queen Mothers Association, said it was time for Queen Mothers to take up greater responsibilities in addressing social challenges affecting women and children.
She expressed concern that Queenmothers were increasingly being treated as ceremonial figures at public functions rather than being recognised as important stakeholders in community development and decision-making.
According to her, some Queenmothers who spoke openly about challenges in their communities were often overlooked for conferences, workshops and other engagements because organisers feared they might raise uncomfortable questions or demand accountability.
She said some institutions appeared to prefer traditional leaders who would attend programmes without questioning decisions or drawing attention to problems affecting their communities.
Mamaga Dr Tsyrewa stressed that Queenmothers should be given meaningful opportunities to contribute to discussions and decisions on issues affecting women, children and community welfare.
She said their participation should go beyond ceremonial representation to include policy discussions, community interventions and the development of practical solutions to social problems.
She urged institutions seeking to engage traditional authorities to work through the appropriate regional Houses of Chiefs to identify and involve legitimate traditional leaders.
She said recognising the authority, experience and community knowledge of Queen Mothers would strengthen efforts to address sexual violence and other social challenges.
Kansa Ewuruche, Second Vice-President of the Association, Queenmother of the Bole Traditional Council and President of the Savannah Regional Queenmothers Association, identified inadequate funding as a major challenge confronting Queen Mothers in the discharge of their responsibilities.
She said financial constraints sometimes made it difficult for them to provide even basic assistance to victims of sexual abuse, including helping them access medical examinations and professional healthcare.
She explained that when victims or their families could not afford transportation, medical assessments and other related expenses, they might abandon the process of seeking justice.
Kansa Ewuruche said the situation was particularly worrying because victims were often from poor and vulnerable backgrounds, while alleged perpetrators could have considerable financial resources and social influence.
She said the lack of adequate financial and institutional support placed victims at a disadvantage and could discourage them from reporting abuse or pursuing cases through the appropriate legal channels.
She called on the Government, the Ministry responsible for Gender, Children and Social Protection, and the Office of the Vice-President to engage the regional presidents of the Queen mothers Association to discuss the challenges women and girls faced across the country.
Such an engagement, she said, would provide an opportunity for the Queen Mothers to present first-hand accounts of community-level challenges and propose practical interventions to improve the protection of women and girls.
She said the discussions should also consider sustainable funding arrangements, improved referral systems and stronger collaboration between traditional authorities, healthcare providers, law enforcement agencies and social welfare institutions.
The Queenmothers said addressing sexual violence required a coordinated national response involving Government, traditional authorities, law enforcement agencies, healthcare professionals, civil society organisations and local communities.
They emphasised the need to create an environment in which victims could report abuse without fear of stigma, intimidation or abandonment.
They also called for improved access to professional counselling, medical care and legal assistance to ensure that victims received comprehensive support throughout the reporting and investigation process.
The Queenmothers urged parents and guardians to support victims and avoid actions that could prevent them from seeking justice.
They further called on community members to reject the normalisation of sexual violence and cooperate with the appropriate authorities in addressing reported cases.
The Association reiterated that allegations of sexual violence must be handled with seriousness, fairness and sensitivity, while investigations must follow due process to establish the facts and ensure accountability.
They said adequately resourcing Queenmothers and involving them meaningfully in community decision-making would strengthen public education, improve support for victims and contribute to the protection of women and girls throughout the country.
The Association called for sustained national attention to sexual violence, stressing that the rights, dignity and safety of women and girls must remain a priority.
GNA
Edited by Maxwell Awumah/Kenneth Odeng Adade