Following the recent horrific assault of a 3-year-old girl in Winneba, Bright Appiah, Executive Director of Child Rights International, has urged for stronger and more uniform enforcement of Ghana’s child abuse legislation.

After her stepmother allegedly threw boiling water on her privates as a form of discipline for bedwetting, the kid, who had traveled to spend the holidays with her father, had potentially fatal injuries. The victim is receiving immediate medical attention at the Trauma and Specialist Hospital in Winneba, while the suspect, who has only been known as Akaima, a Liberian national, is still at large.

In an interview with Citi Eyewitness News on Friday, September 19, Appiah responded to the incident by saying that the nation has to stop viewing child abuse as a domestic problem and make sure that those who commit it are held accountable.

“I think that we should not just look at the abuse of children as a domestic issue. When there is an arrest or identification of such a matter, the right procedure must be followed so that those who commit such offences are dealt with properly,” he said.

He criticized the apparent absence of regular legal action in several child abuse cases, contending that it gives abusers more confidence.

“In most cases, we don’t see any kind of action taken… so people think that they can just do anything against a child and go scot-free. That, for me, is what is also giving them that kind of empowerment,” Appiah added.

Failure to prosecute and punish abusers, in Appiah’s opinion, sends a dangerous message to society: children can be hurt with no repercussions.

In addition to implementing stronger protections, he asked national authorities to examine closely how children are left in the care of others.

The father of the girl has been taken into custody by the Ghana Police Service’s Domestic Violence and Victims Support Unit (DOVVSU) as part of continuing inquiries. After the event, the stepmother escaped, but authorities say efforts are continuing to capture her.

Reconstructive treatments will be necessary to restore the child’s reproductive organs, according to medical staff at the Winneba hospital, who have described the child’s condition as severe.

A local NGO, the Mother and Child Rescue Unit of Challenging Heights, has pledged to pay for the victim’s medical bills in response to the tragedy, which has caused national indignation. The group is also demanding justice for the youngster and a thorough inquiry.

DOVVSU has committed to stepping up preventive and public education initiatives in response to the alarming trend of domestic abuse in the municipality.

Appiah further emphasised the need for systemic change: “People feel they can do whatever they want to do with children. That is why, for me, as a country, we should carefully look at it and see how best we can place children in the care of other people.”

The Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, has described the reign of the late Asantehemaa, Nana Konadu Yiadom III, as one defined by dignity, humility, and selfless service to the Ashanti Kingdom.

In a glowing tribute, the Asantehene said she embodied the true meaning of leadership, balancing majesty with compassion.

“She sat in majesty, yet never placed herself above her people. She was the voice of the woman in the market, the comfort of widows, the guardian of orphans, and the reconciler of families in dispute,” he said in a tribute read by Ghanaian business magnate Sir Sam Jonah.

The Asantehene stressed that her court was a place of patience, wisdom, and care, noting that her private life revealed the tenderness of a mother. “She reminded us that leadership is not about command, but about care; not about domination, but about compassion,” he added.

Reflecting on their close bond, the Asantehene said the late Queen Mother was more than a monarch; she was his elder sister and confidante.

He emphasised the spiritual and cultural significance of the bond between Asantehemaa and Asantehene, describing it as a cornerstone of Ashanti governance. That bond, he said, was strengthened during his reign by the unique fact that the Queen Mother was his senior sister.

“Together, we carried the weight of Asanteman—two shoes, two rows, yet one heart for our people,” the Asantehene declared.

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The Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, has described the late Asantehemaa, Nana Konadu Yiadom III, as both the spiritual mother of Asanteman and one of his greatest pillars of strength.

In a deeply emotional tribute read on his behalf by business leader Dr. Sam Jonah, the Asantehene said the passing of his elder sister had left “an emptiness in my heart and in the soul of Asanteman.”

“It is not easy for me, as king, to put into words the depth of my grief. For the nation has lost a mother, and I have lost not only a sister but also one of my greatest pillars of strength,” he said.

He described Nana Konadu Yiadom III as more than a queen in title, noting that her calm and measured presence held together the family, lineage, and traditions of the Ashanti Kingdom.

“She was truly the mother of the kingdom, the one whose presence held together the delicate threads of our family and our heritage,” he said.

Reflecting on their bond before his ascension to the throne, the Asantehene recalled her role in preparing him for leadership.

“Before the weight of the Golden Stool was placed upon me, she had already carried the weight of sisterhood, counsel, and love. She guided me with a steady hand as an elder, preparing me in ways I did not fully understand until destiny placed the Golden Stool upon me.”

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