A nationwide study by Child Rights International (CRI) reveals that defilement is the most prevalent abuse against children in Ghana, accounting for 59.4% of reported offences.
The research, which tracked 899 cases across 10 regions, highlights a justice system plagued by chronic delays and prohibitive costs.
The study identified 23 distinct offences beyond defilement, notably assault at 18.9% and indecent assault at 7.7%.
Other recorded abuses include abduction, trafficking, rape, and torture. CRI Chief Executive Bright Appiah reported that 286 cases remain pending, with some languishing in the court system for up to a decade.
These systemic delays cause secondary victimization as children are forced to relive trauma through repeated court appearances and frequent adjournments, often resulting in victims losing up to a month of schooling annually.
Beyond the emotional toll, the slow prosecution allows offenders to remain free, leading to victim intimidation and social stigma.
Excluding legal fees, families spend between GH¢1,050 and GH¢2,540 per case on transportation, medical reports, forensic examinations, and lost income.
Mr. Appiah noted that these combined burdens often force families to settle cases outside the formal court system, allowing perpetrators to escape legal accountability.
Speaking later in an interview on Nyankonton Mu Nsem on Rainbow Radio 87.5FM, he lamented that the costs involved in pursuing these cases posed a major challenge and were beyond the financial strength of the affected families.
He also raised concerns over cases that had been in court for almost a decade, noting that the resulting cost implications for families were alarming.
He stressed that there was a need for these cases to be fast-tracked to bring closure to the victims and their relatives.
By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana
