The Member of Parliament for Salaga South, Zuwera Mohammed Ibrahimah, has called for urgent action to combat child abuse and protect vulnerable groups, describing it as a moral imperative that reflects society’s commitment to human dignity.

In a statement delivered on the floor of Parliament on Friday, July 18, 2025, she emphasised the need for stronger legal enforcement, public awareness, victim support, and multi-sectoral collaboration to safeguard children and marginalized communities in Ghana.

“…, protecting children and vulnerable groups is not only a legal obligation but a moral imperative that reflects our society’s values and commitment to human dignity. As parliamentarians, we have the power to enact transformative policies that ensure every child and vulnerable individual thrives in an environment free from abuse and discrimination,” she said.

Speaking during parliamentary proceedings, Zuwera Mohammed highlighted the persistent challenge of child abuse despite Ghana’s robust legislative framework, including the Children’s Act, 1998 (Act 560) and the Domestic Violence Act, 2007 (Act 732).

Citing the 2023 Ghana Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey, she noted that approximately 22% of children aged 1-14 experience violent discipline, with physical, emotional, and sexual abuse occurring frequently.

“These violations not only contravene the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, to which Ghana is a signatory, but also jeopardize the physical, psychological, and social development of our children,” she stated.

The MP underscored the heightened risks faced by vulnerable groups, including children, persons with disabilities, and marginalized communities, due to systemic inequalities, poverty, limited access to education, and weak enforcement of child protection laws.

She urged lawmakers to intensify efforts through measures such as strengthening law enforcement and judicial capacity, launching nationwide campaigns to educate communities on children’s rights, expanding psychosocial support and safe shelters for victims, and fostering partnerships among government, civil society, traditional authorities, and international organizations.

The MP referenced a disturbing incident that came to light on June 25, 2025, during her attendance at the Inter-Parliamentary Union on Human Rights workshop in Accra.

A viral video depicted a 12-year-old child in a Ghanaian community, bound with nylon ropes to a roof and brutally beaten by three adults.

“This shocking footage compelled me to act swiftly,” she said, noting that she mobilized her network to identify the location of the crime.

She commended the Ghana Police Service for their prompt response, as confirmed by the Sekondi Regional Police Headquarters, which led to the arrest of two suspects and the rescue of the child, who received medical attention before being reunited with his father.

“This decisive action underscores the importance of a zero-tolerance approach to child abuse,” she added.

GA