Commerial sexual exploitation: About 100,000 children affected
Mrs Abena Anobea Asare
About 100,000 children in Ghana are sexually abused and exploited mainly for profit, a study from the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection (MoGCSP), has revealed.
The number falls short of the global figure of 4.8 million people who are exploited with women and children in the majority while 30 per cent of all victims are from Africa.
The culprits behind this exploitation keep the business flourishing with the children charging between GHÂą3.00 and GHÂą2,000 depending on how well they negotiate.
Ms Abena Anobea Asare, a Director of Human Trafficking Unit at the MoGCSP, made this disclosure last Tuesday, at a workshop organised by the Public Health Nursesâ School at Korle-Bu in Accra.
It was on the theme âChild prostitution, a public health concern.â
By definition, she described prostitution as âsellingâ oneâs body or receipt of money on behalf of someone in exchange for sex and other sexual related activities.
She stated that child prostitution was the worst form of child labour and a crime, mentioning Section 91(2) of Act 560 of the Childrenâs Act and Article 3a and 3b of the International Labour Organisation (ILO) Convention 182 which describes it as a hazardous work.
She identified pressure from family members for children to bring money, illiteracy, school dropout, ignorance, domestic violence, broken homes, insecurity, globalisation, internet access and improper use of technology as well as weak border control were factors that has contributed to the child sexual exploitation.
She said it was difficult for victims of child prostitution to quit the act because of peer pressure, induced drug addiction and dependencies, economic necessity, seized documents and lack of access to communication.
According to Ms Asare, the act was abusive, hazardous and does not allow the child to benefit fully from school due to various forms of trauma, self-lost, working for long hours and denial of night sleeps.
âIt steals the childhood of the child,â she said, adding that, it was exploitative which deprives the person of his or her basic human rights.
According to her, commercial sex exploitation of children can take place at brothels, on the street, homes of people who brings âcustomersâ to take a percentage of the profits from the sexual activities.
âOccasionally, a pimp is a family member of the victim, brokering the sexual favours of their daughter or niece for financial gains,â Ms Asare added.
According to her, the practice had become a public health issue due to its negative impact on the child, family and effects on the society and the country at large.
In an attempt to address the challenge, she said her outfit was involved in awareness creation, and capacity building for children, parents and other stakeholders.
Also, she said the ministry was involved in rescuing, rehabilitating and reintegrating victims into the society while pimps or hookers are punished or convicted when caught.
By Jemima Esinam Kuatsinu Â
The Minister of Finance, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, has pledged to work closely with the Judiciary and the Ministry of Justice to address challenges affecting the delivery of justice in Ghana.
He made this known after receiving the Chief Justice, Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie, who paid a courtesy call on him earlier today.
The Chief Justice was accompanied by Supreme Court Judge, Justice Gabriel Pwamang, the Acting Director of the Ghana School of Law, Professor Raymond Atuguba, and the Judicial Secretary.
The Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, Dr. Dominic Ayine, was also present at the meeting.
Dr. Forson said the Chief Justice explained that the visit was to express appreciation for the continuous support the Ministry of Finance has given to the Judiciary.
According to him, the Chief Justice raised concerns about congestion in the courts, describing it as a major challenge that affects the speedy delivery of justice.
He said several solutions are currently being considered to help reduce the pressure on the courts.
âThe Chief Justice also highlighted issues regarding the working conditions of staff within the Judiciary,â Dr. Forson stated.
He assured them of his commitment to helping resolve these problems through collaboration with the Judiciary and the Ministry of Justice.
âI am committed to working closely with the Judiciary and the Ministry of Justice to tackle these challenges,â he said.
As part of the measures being considered, Dr. Forson revealed that his ministry is examining the possibility of allowing the Judiciary to use 100 percent of its Internally Generated Funds (IGF) to meet urgent operational needs.
He said this move, if approved, would help improve the efficiency of the courts and enhance justice delivery across the country.
The meeting forms part of efforts to strengthen cooperation between the Executive and the Judiciary in addressing systemic challenges within Ghanaâs justice system.
By: Jacob Aggrey
News
Ghana begins talks with family of Guineaâs first President to preserve Nkrumahâs Guinea home
Ghana has begun talks with the family of Guineaâs first President, SĂ©kou TourĂ©, to take possession of the house where Osagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah lived and worked during his final years in exile.
The Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration Minister, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, announced that the move follows instructions from President John Dramani Mahama.
According to him, the Mahama administration plans to renovate and preserve the residence in Guinea as a mark of respect for Nkrumah and to protect his legacy.
He explained that the site is expected to become part of a broader historical and tourism experience that traces Nkrumahâs life from Ghana to Guinea.
The decision was formally communicated to the Sékou Touré family on Saturday during a visit led by Vice President Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang.
The visit took place after the investiture of Guineaâs President Mamady Doumbouya.
Mr Ablakwa noted that the Ghanaian delegation toured Nkrumahâs abandoned home and was warmly received by three generations of the SĂ©kou TourĂ© family, led by the former presidentâs eldest son.
He added that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is currently negotiating the terms and conditions of the arrangement and engaging preservation experts to handle the restoration works.
The minister assured the public that the process will be handled openly, stressing that Ghanaians will be kept informed at every stage in the interest of transparency and accountability.
Osagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah was Ghanaâs first President and a leading figure in Africaâs independence and Pan African movements.
His years in Guinea symbolised the strong political and ideological ties between the two countries.
By: Jacob Aggrey
