News

Child Rights Int’l Demands Justice In Winneba Child Abuse Case

Published

12 months ago

September 20, 2025

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.”

Related Topics:Bright Appiah Child Abuse Child Rights International

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Education

Over 10 Students Arrested Over Okuapeman-Mount Sinai SHS Clash

Published

2 days ago

September 3, 2026

AladdynKing

More than 10 students have been apprehended in connection with the clashes between Okuapeman Senior High School and Mount Sinai Senior High School in the Akuapem North Municipality of the Eastern Region.

The arrests follow reprisal attacks between students of the two schools, which resulted in the burning and destruction of several structures on both campuses in the early hours of Wednesday, September 2, 2026.

Speaking on Eyewitness News on Wednesday, September 2, Eastern Regional Police Commander, DCOP Joseph Owusu-Bempah, said some of the students fled their schools when the police arrived. Still, he warned that their absence would not prevent the police from arresting them.

“We have apprehended them. And there are more,” he said, adding that the police are compiling a comprehensive list of all persons involved in the violence.

He disclosed that the investigation had also uncovered information suggesting that some teachers may have encouraged students to attack their counterparts.

According to him, the police have obtained the names of teachers allegedly linked to the incident and will take action against them if investigations establish their involvement.

“We have the names of the teachers. They have nowhere to go. At the appropriate time, we will arrest all of them, and their names will be published,” DCOP Owusu-Bempah warned.

DCOP Owusu-Bempah assured the public that anyone found to have participated in the violence would be dealt with in accordance with the law, while urging students to return to school and cooperate with the investigation.

He also appealed against any interference in the police process, warning that such actions could undermine efforts to restore calm and ensure accountability.

At Okuapeman SHS, six students were injured and taken to hospital following the incident. The school’s Headmaster said four of the students had since been treated and discharged, while two remained on admission as of Wednesday.

The exact trigger for the clashes remains unclear, but the police have begun investigations to establish what led to the confrontation and identify all those responsible.

citinewsroom.com

Education

GES Releases National Harmonised Prospectus For 2026/27 SHS Admissions

Published

2 days ago

September 3, 2026

AladdynKing

The Ghana Education Service (GES) has announced the release of the National Harmonised Prospectus for prospective Senior High School (SHS) and Senior High Technical School (SHTS) students for the 2026/2027 academic year.

The prospectus is intended to guide parents and students on the essential items required for enrolment, covering both boarding and day students.

GES has urged parents and students preparing for the next stage of their education to carefully review the prospectus and make the necessary preparations ahead of the commencement of the new academic year.

Schools and other relevant stakeholders have also been directed to adhere to the requirements outlined in the prospectus to ensure a smooth, consistent and standardised admission process nationwide.

The release of the prospectus comes ahead of the announcement of school placements and is expected to help newly admitted students and their parents adequately prepare for enrolment once placements are released.

Parents and prospective students are therefore encouraged to familiarise themselves with the approved requirements to avoid challenges during the admission process.

Below is the list of items outlined in the prospectus that parents and guardians are required to acquire for their wards: