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.

We also wish to take this opportunity to caution personnel of the Domestic Violence and Victims Support Unit (DOVVSU) who would seem to be aiding perpetrators of domestic violence and other such acts against women and children, to stop such unprofessional conduct. The Ministry of Women and Children’s Affairs has received numerous reports and petitions on this conduct and is concerned that some DOVVSU personnel rather team up with suspects to intimidate victims instead of seeking justice for them.

The Ministry is determined to continuously demand punitive action against any officer when such report is made.

V. T. KUUZUME
CHIEF DIRECTOR
FOR: HON. MINISTER