SOS Children’s Villages Ghana has condemned the shocking abuse of a three-year-old girl in Winneba, describing the act as a gross violation of both national and international child protection laws.

The girl, currently battling for her life at the Trauma and Specialist Hospital, reportedly suffered severe burns after her stepmother, identified as Akaima, a Liberian national, allegedly poured hot water on her private parts as punishment for bedwetting.

According to reports, the ordeal came to light when the child’s mother arrived to pick her up and found her unable to walk. Medical officials confirmed that the injuries were critical and required advanced treatment.

In a statement, SOS Children’s Villages Ghana called the incident “inhumane” and a “clear failure of the nation’s duty to protect children.”

The organisation stressed that the abuse violates Ghana’s Children’s Act (Act 560), the Domestic Violence Act (Act 732), constitutional protections, and international conventions ratified by Ghana, including the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.

The organisation outlined six key demands:

Immediate arrest and prosecution of the alleged perpetrator(s).

Full medical and psychosocial care for the victim at the expense of the Department of Social Welfare (DSW).

Transparent updates from DSW on actions taken.

Strong condemnation of child abuse by traditional leaders, faith-based groups, and community structures.

Adequate resourcing of DSW and the Domestic Violence and Victim Support Unit (DOVVSU).

Stronger collaboration among Parliament, government ministries, and civil society to eliminate violence against children in line with SDG 16.2.

“This is an appalling and apparent failure of the nation in its binding and legal obligations in the area of child protection. It highlights systemic failures that put children at risk in their own homes,” the statement noted, adding that “Ghana cannot continue to tolerate such atrocities.”

DOVVSU is expected to take over the case and pursue accountability.