News
Daughter exposes father for defiling step-daughter
The rate at which some fathers are accused of either engaging in sex with their biological daughters or step-daughters is quite alarming.
This abominable act is gaining currency in the country and should be nipped in the bud.
As of now, a 43-year-old unemployed, Mr. KwawErmerlehAgovi, a resident of Ofankor in Accra is being tried by the Accra Circuit Court “5” for allegedly defiling his eight-year-old step daughter.
The accused who mounted the dock on Monday charged with defilement contrary to section 101 (2) of Criminal Offences Act 1960, Act 29, however, denied the offence.
The Presiding Judge, Mrs. Christina Cann granted him GH¢60,000.00 bail with three sureties, two of whom should be Public or Civil Servants and earning not less than GH¢3,000.00 a month.
She adjourned the case to June 14, 2021, for Case Management Conference (CMC), but ordered the accused to stay away from the victim, who is presently staying with her aunty at Tantra Hill.
Paradoxically, it was an 18-year old biological daughter of the accused who reported the immoral conduct of her father to the Domestic Violence and Victim Support Unit (DOVVSU) of the Ghana Police Service at Tesano leading to his arrest.
Relating the circumstances or facts of the matter to the court, the prosecutor, Chief Inspector Kofi Atimbire, said that Mr. Agovi with his biological daughter and the step daughter (Victim) lived in a three-bedroom apartment but each had a separate room.
He said that the accused had been sneaking into the room of the eight-year-old victim anytime she was alone to have sex with her.
This, according to the prosecutor, became unbearable to the small girl until the complainant (accused’s daughter) saw her step sister crying at about 5:00am on April 24, 2021, and decided to find out the cause.
He said that the victim confided in the complainant that the accused had been engaging in sexual intercourse with her.
Chief Inspector Atimbire said that armed with this piece of information, the 18-year-old daughter of the accused devised means of monitoring her father to be cock sure that the allegation levelled against him was true or otherwise.
He told the court that in the course of monitoring, the complainant detected that her father (accused) had been sneaking into the victim’s room at night.
He said that on April 29, 2021, at about 12:00 midnight Mr. Agovi as usual, sneaked into the victim’s room, undressed himself and the victim, and was preparing to lie on her when the complainant rushed into the room and caught her father red handed.
The prosecutor said that the accused threatened to kill the
complainant if she revealed his conduct to either anyone or to the
police.
And for the fear of her father’s death threat, the complainant ran away from home and reported the issue to DOVVSU for action to be taken.
Chief Inspector Atimbire said that the accused was later arrested and put before court after police investigation and receipt of the victim’s medical report from the hospital.
The case continues on Monday, June 14, 2021.
By Castro Zangina-Tong
Local mattress manufacturers have raised serious concerns over the influx of substandard mattresses, warning that these products pose significant health risks to consumers and threaten the sustainability of Ghana’s mattress industry.
At a press briefing held in Kumasi on Tuesday, manufacturers accused unregistered foreign entities, particularly Chinese firms, of flooding the market with cheap mattresses made from polystyrene.
Mr Yaw Ampem Darko, a spokesperson for the local manufacturers, warned that prolonged use of substandard mattresses, especially those made with polystyrene, could result in chronic back pain, musculoskeletal disorders, poor posture, and diminished sleep quality.
These health implications, they stressed, were not always immediately evident but accumulate over time, especially among vulnerable populations such as children and the elderly.
This material, typically used for packaging, is considered unsuitable and unsafe for bedding.
According to industry leaders, these sub-standard products have been circulating for at least five years, gaining traction among unsuspecting consumers due to their unusually low prices.
“These mattresses are being sold at suspiciously low prices, luring unsuspecting consumers who are unaware of the health dangers.”
“We are not just protecting our businesses; we are protecting Ghanaian lives. The government must act swiftly to stem this tide before more citizens fall victim to these dangerous products,” Mr Yaw Ampem Darko stated.
The Ghana Standards Authority (GSA) has acknowledged the issue and, in response, announced a nationwide enforcement campaign aimed at clamping down on the production, distribution, and sale of substandard mattresses.
The campaign, which was scheduled to take effect from September 30, 2025, was empowered by the GSA Act, 2022 (Act 1078), which authorises the Authority to seize and seal non-compliant products and impose sanctions on offenders.
In a statement signed by the Director General of the GSA, Professor George Agyei, the authority cited Sections 29 and 43 of the Act, reiterating that all mattresses sold in Ghana must meet established national standards or face confiscation.
The statement further emphasised that mattresses failing to meet these standards not only compromise sleep quality but also contribute to long-term health complications, including spinal and neck pain.
Despite the GSA’s commitment, manufacturers have expressed frustration over delays in implementation and called for stronger enforcement mechanisms.
They urged the GSA to work in close collaboration with the Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority and national law enforcement agencies to identify and prosecute violators of Ghana’s quality standards.
Manufacturers are also appealing to consumers to remain vigilant and prioritise their health by verifying that any mattress they purchase bears the GSA certification mark.
Moreover, they caution the public against purchasing suspiciously cheap mattresses that lack proper labelling or identifiable branding, as these were often indicators of substandard or counterfeit products.
As the official enforcement deadline had expired with no show, the local producers insisted that much more than business interests were at stake.
They argued that without swift and sustained action, the health and safety of Ghanaian consumers would continue to be compromised.
“Public awareness, strict enforcement, and collaboration among regulatory bodies are essential if we are to protect the integrity of the local industry and the wellbeing of the Ghanaian people,” Mr Darko indicated.
From Kingsley E. Hope, Kumasi
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The Founder of the Raissa Child Protection Initiative, Ms Raissa Sambou, has urged authorities to impose severe punishment on individuals, including teachers and guardians, who sexually abuse young girls.
Speaking in an interview to mark this year’s International Day of the Girl Child (October 11), Ms Sambou condemned the increasing cases of sexual exploitation involving minors, describing such acts as “heartless, criminal, and a total betrayal of trust.”
She noted that those entrusted with the care and education of children must not be the same people who violate them, stressing that “anyone found guilty of abusing a girl child must face the full rigours of the law without leniency.”
The International Day of the Girl Child is observed annually to promote the rights of girls, empower them to reach their full potential, and draw attention to the challenges they face worldwide.
Ms Sambou lamented that poverty continues to push many young girls into vulnerable situations, exposing them to exploitation.
She expressed concern that some headmasters, teachers, and community members who should protect girls rather take advantage of them.
“This must stop immediately. The safety of every girl must never be compromised,” she said, urging the public to report all forms of abuse to the appropriate authorities and called for swift action by law enforcement agencies against perpetrators.
Addressing girls directly, Ms Sambou encouraged them to take their education seriously and to believe in their potential.
“It is possible to be young and responsible. Your future is bright, protect it, believe in it, and never let anyone dim your light,” she advised.
She further urged girls to choose their friends wisely, stay disciplined, and speak up if anyone makes sexual advances toward them.
Ms Sambou concluded with a rallying call for collective action, saying “speak up, protect them, and empower them. Together, we can end the sexual exploitation of girls.”
By Esinam Jemima Kuatsinu
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