ActionAid Ghana, a social justice non-governmental organisation, has petitioned the Ghana Police Service and other relevant institutions to expedite the prosecution of an alleged sexual abuse case involving an eight-year-old boy in the Jirapa Municipality. The petition, copied to the Ghana News Agency, calls for thorough and survivor-sensitive investigations, speedy prosecution of the alleged perpetrator, and protection of the child’s rights and welfare throughout the judicial process. The NGO commended the Police for prompt steps taken in the case.
The alleged incident occurred on September 4, 2026, in Jirapa, when a 25-year-old man allegedly called the child into his room under the pretext of sending him on an errand. The child’s mother later found him crying outside their house and, upon inquiry, he disclosed the alleged abuse. The mother reported the matter to the Police the same day and was issued a medical form for the child to be examined at a hospital. A medical assessment found bruises around the child’s anal area.
The mother initially hesitated to submit the medical form to the Police due to pressure from the alleged perpetrator’s family and fear of victimisation. However, following persistent follow-ups and advice, the medical form was eventually submitted to the Police on September 6, leading to the arrest of the accused person by the Jirapa Police on September 7, 2026. The case has since been transferred to the Upper West Regional Office of the Domestic Violence and Victim Support Unit in Wa for prosecution.
ActionAid Ghana urged the authorities to treat this matter with the utmost urgency and ensure that the child’s best interests, safety, dignity, and welfare remain paramount throughout the process. The NGO appealed to the Office of the Attorney-General to call for the case docket for study and provide necessary advice to bring the matter to its logical conclusion. The accused person has been remanded into prison custody.
ActionAid Ghana also urged the Ghana Education Service and the Social Welfare Unit to facilitate psychosocial counselling, stigma prevention measures, and the safe reintegration of the child into school. The NGO believes that swift action to ensure justice and accountability will help deter similar acts and impunity in the region. The petition was signed and submitted to the relevant authorities.
The case has garnered attention from various stakeholders, including the Ghana Police Service, the Office of the Attorney-General, and the courts. The Police have been commended for their prompt response, but the NGO emphasised the need for continued urgency and professionalism in handling the case. The Upper West Regional Office of the Domestic Violence and Victim Support Unit in Wa is currently handling the prosecution.
The petition by ActionAid Ghana highlights the importance of collaboration between stakeholders to ensure justice for victims of sexual abuse. The organisation's efforts aim to bring the perpetrator to justice and provide necessary support to the child and their family. The case is ongoing, and the authorities are expected to take further action to bring the matter to a conclusion.
Key points
- ActionAid Ghana petitions authorities to expedite prosecution of alleged sodomy case involving 8-year-old boy.
- The alleged incident occurred on September 4, 2026, in Jirapa.
- The accused person has been remanded into prison custody.
