Child Rights International secures compensation for children kidnapped by ASA Savings and Loans staff

Child Rights International, a Non-Governmental Organisation has secured an amount of GHC50,000 from ASA Savings and Loans Company Limited as compensation to the family of two children kidnapped by employees of the company.

At a media briefing in Accra, Executive Director of Child Rights International, Bright Appiah said the compensation was secured as a result of a plea by the company for an out-of-court-settlement; both parties agreed and proceeded to negotiate for a resolution of the matter.

“At the end, both parties agreed on an out-of-court settlement with the consent of the victims who were represented by their father. As a result of the negotiation, both lawyers of the plaintiff and the defendant settled on GHC50,000 as a compensation for the family especially the children,” he said.

Child Rights International in ensuring that the interests of the children are fully taken into consideration by the family, signed an agreement with the father to devote 40% of the amount as an investment package for the children to access when they are 18 years old.

Mr Appiah noted that “Under no circumstance should the dignity of children be trampled upon to pursue any other interest. Children’s right is necessary to ensure they receive the necessary care and attention in order to develop to their fullest potential.”

“We are sending a signal to the public that anybody who will engage children for their selfish interest, upon notice to Child Rights International will act, defend and uphold the best interest of children,” he warned.



Background

Two employees of the Elmina Zongo branch of ASA Savings and Loans, Klusui Fiawotofo and Afi Kwawu on May 2, 2018, forcibly entered the residence of one Theophilus Attipoe and kidnapped his two children without his consent for an amount owed by his wife.

According to Mr Attipoe the two employees took the children away and threatened them to produce their mother, else they would not be released.

“As young as the children are, they cried out for help but to no avail. The staff of ASA Savings and Loans Company Limited violently shook the children to the extent that the younger child defecated on herself,” the statement of claim indicated.

The children were kept by Klusui Fiawotofo and Afi Kwawu and at some point were left unattended to for hours in an unknown place where they were denied their personal liberty for hours.

The writ stated that the conduct of Klusui Fiawotofo and Afi Kwawu occasioned trauma, pain and distress in the children. They sustained great anxiety and suffered hardship in the hands of Klusui Fiawotofo and Afi Kwawu.

They were later sued for assault, battery, kidnapping and false imprisonment and, therefore, the defendants were liable to pay compensation for assault, battery and false imprisonment of the minors.