CRI urges probe into rescued prostitutes' case

Accra, Jan. 25, GNA - Child's Rights International (CRI) on Friday called for investigations into the reported escape of 45 suspected prostitutes who were rescued from 'Soldier Bar', near the Kwame Nkrumah Circle on January 19, 2008.

Following their arrest, the suspects were taken to Madina Social Welfare office for maintenance, rehabilitation and reintegration. At least 15 girls have remained there and with a promise to quit the sex trade if given alternative means of livelihood.

Mr Bright Appiah Executive Director of CRI, expressing his concern on the issue called for prosecution of the case, especially the promoters of the sex trade to serve as a deterrent to others. He noted that the girls, whose ages range from 12 to 16 years were minors and "any attempt by any person to divert attention, blame, release information and expose children, amount to violation of children's rights within our legal instrument."

On January 19, a team of Policemen acting on a tip-off, raided the Solider Bar near Kwame Nkrumah Circle and rescued the girl prostitutes. Mr Appiah said issues concerning children should be of paramount concern to all, citing the Children's Act, which he said, acknowledges the fact that the child's interest in any matter remains supreme, "be it in the court of law, administrative, structure and institution."

He said the Ministries of Women and Children's Affairs and Manpower, Youth and Employment, should do more to search for the missing girls, who were alleged by the media to have been claimed by relatives. Media reports that some of the released children were with their parents was wrong and fell short of the law because it served as an opportunity for them to go back to the business of child prostitution, he held.

"A child who fell victim of the law deserves to be protected, survived and developed with the essence of the child enjoying a maximum protection from the authorities to enable him or her be placed under friendly environment."

Mr Appiah described the act as a clear violation on the rights of the child. "These children should have been maintained, rehabilitated and reintegrated into society for a standard living".