Police caution minors against engaging in sex

Tema, Oct 25, GNA - The Tema Regional Police Command has

cautioned minors, especially boys, against engaging in sex because

they would be prosecuted for defilement when arrested. Chief Inspector Olivia Turkson, Tema Regional Police

Public Affairs Officer, pointed out that being a minor did not

exonerate an offender from facing the law when caught committing a

crime. Chief Inspector Turkson, who issued the warning in an

interview with the Ghana News Agency, stated that it had come to

the notice of the Command that some young boys were luring their

female counterparts into having sex with them. She explained that perpetrators could be imprisoned for

not less than seven years and not more than 25 years when found

guilty by a court of law for defilement. She added that the Command was also gathering

intelligence information on some young boys patronizing the

services of prostitutes at the Ashaiman Night Market area. Chief Inspector Turkson indicated that prostitutes,

including elderly women, allow boys to have sex with them so long

as they can afford the charge. She warned that the Police would deal with both the

prostitutes and those who patronize their services, including the

minors, when investigations are completed. The Tema Police Public Affairs Officer, therefore,

advised minors to concentrate on their studies and join social and

religious clubs, instead of fantasizing and engaging in sex. She also called on religious bodies, school authorities

and the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE), to

formulate programmes to educate the youth on the disadvantages of

engaging in immoral and criminal activities. Chief Inspector Turkson also called on men to desist

from defiling young girls with the excuse of having their consent. She stated that having sex with a girl less than 16 years

with or without her consent is defilement. Additionally, having sex with a mentally retarded person with

her consent is criminal because of her mental state.