15th May, 2009

PRESS RELEASE

CALL FOR PUNISHMENT OF POLICEMEN INVOLVED IN DEFILEMENT, RAPE AND DOMESTIC VIOLENCE CASES.

The Ministry of Women and Children’s Affairs has taken note of the reported cases of policemen allegedly defiling, raping and abusing young girls sometimes even in their custody. We earnestly request the Inspector General of Police to urgently take the necessary punitive action against these miscreants who are dragging the good name of the Police in the mud through such dehumanizing acts on women.

In a recent shocking case reported in the media, Lance Corporal Abdul Rahaman Issah of Ho is reported to have defiled a 13-year old Junior High School pupil after luring her to his house at the SSNIT Flats. According to the report, after the heinous act, Lance Corporal Issah asked the girl to wash his blood-stained bed sheet while he went to take his bath.

It is unbelievable that police personnel who are supposed to be protecting Ghanaians, especially children should rather engage themselves in such unacceptable acts.

The report is based, primarily, on the opinions of children interacted with in five regions in Ghana. The fieldwork for the study took place in the Central, Western, Volta, Northern and Ashanti regions with financial support from the UNICEF office in Ghana. Data collection and entry was done by a group of children selected from the Children and Youth in Broadcasting (CURIOUS MINDS), whilst the analysis and report writing was done by the Information Research and Advocacy Division of the Department of Children (DOC), Ministry of Women and Children's Affairs (MOWAC). In all, 4,164 were sampled from across the five regions used as study areas.

INTERNATIONAL DAY OF FAMILIES
International Day of the Family was instituted by the United Nations to celebrate families, promote awareness on issues relating to families as the basic unit of society, as well as, to advocate for appropriate action in support of families. The day was proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly through Resolution 47/237 of 20th September 1993. This year therefore marks the 15th Anniversary of the International Day of the Family which is being observed under the theme; “Mothers and Families: Challenges in a Changing World”. This year’s theme complements the 2008 theme which focused on Fathers and Families: Responsibilities and Challenges and therefore the need for an integrated family environment to ensure the survival and well being of children.

Observance of the International Day of the Family recognizes the importance of the family as the basic unit of mobilization for national development.
This year’s theme focuses on the important role of mothers in families, communities, nations and the whole world. Mothers are the pivot of every family.
Their responsibilities range from child birth, nursing and nurturing children and managing homes to ensure the total well being of every member of their families.