Press Statement On The Recent Reports Of Child Abuse In Ghana

JOINT PRESS STATEMENT BY THE PAEDIATRIC SOCIETY OF GHANA AND THE GREATER ACCRA DIVISION OF THE GHANA MEDICAL ASSOCIATION ON THE RECENT REPORTS OF CHILD ABUSE IN THE COUNTRY

Date: 31^st October 2017

The Paediatric Society of Ghana (PSG), whose core mandate is to advocate for the overall health and well-being of every child in Ghana, and the Ghana Medical Association (GMA), Greater Accra Division, have noted with concern the significant increase in reported cases of child abuse in the country. Indeed, there is a steady rise in children reporting to our various institutions with NEGLECT, PHYSICAL, SEXUAL AND PSYCHOLOGICAL ABUSE.

We cite as an example the recent heart-wrenching story of a 4-year old girl from Assin Adadientem in the Central Region of Ghana who was sexually abused by a resident of her community and some media reports of a delay in apprehending the alleged offender.

As Associations concerned with the welfare of Ghanaians, especially children, PSG and GMA (Greater Accra Division) resoundingly condemn all acts of child abuse and add our voices to the call on all stakeholders to ensure that justice is served.

We commend the leadership of Ghana for the swift response it has given to this case and are especially pleased to note the promise of the Gender Ministry to review and amend child protection laws and enhance access to justice.

We wish to assure the public that we will continue to work fervently to protect the health of all children in Ghana, and ensure that our members continually improve their skills to recognize, manage, report and appropriately refer all cases of abuse, especially in children.

We will also liaise with other healthcare workers and the appropriate institutions to ensure that victims and their families receive the utmost care, including psychosocial support, to achieve the best possible outcomes, despite difficult and precarious circumstances.

We trust that our services, wherever and whenever needed, will be sought promptly, and that we will work together as a citizenry to protect the children of this country and safeguard the future of our land.

God bless our children!

God bless our homeland Ghana!