This Ministry has taken note of reports of the alleged defilement of a nine-year-old pupil of the Great Lamptey Mills Institute by a Music teacher of the school, Gideon Nana Ofei Dodoo and initial attempts by the school authorities to get the mother of the victim to keep the matter silent.

Mr. Gideon Ofei Dodoo is alleged to have defiled the victim in November 2009 after which he warned her not to tell anyone about it. The Music teacher, according to reports, usually asked the victim to wait for everyone to leave the school or when the school was very quiet, after which he perpetrated his heinous act on the girl.

Gideon Dodoo allegedly went into hiding on 19th March, 2010 when the Police started looking for him in connection with the case but was arrested last Thursday after school authorities assisted the police to locate his house.

We entreat the Tesano Divisional Police to expedite action on the case to ensure that Mr. Gideon Nana Ofei Dodoo faces the law. The Ministry will follow the case to ensure that justice is served.

We wish to remind the public once again, especially parents and school authorities that defilement and rape cases are serious criminal offences which should be handled by law enforcement agencies. Attempts should not be made to settle such cases at home or treat such cases lightly under any circumstances.

ADIZA OFORI-ADU (MRS.)
PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER
FOR: MINISTER