A new report by Child Rights International (CRI) has found that families in Ghana face significant financial burdens when pursuing child abuse cases, with many struggling to sustain and bear the cost in pursuing justice.

Presenting the findings at a media briefing on Thursday, April 30, 2026, the Executive Director of CRI, Bright Appiah, explained that vulnerable households spend substantial amounts to pursue justice.

“The study estimates that pursuing a child protection case costs between GH¢1,050 and GH¢2,540 annually for vulnerable households. These costs include transportation, medical examinations, forensic reports, court-related expenses, and loss of income,” he said.

He further noted that many families, especially those in rural and low-income communities, are unable to sustain these expenses throughout the legal process.

“Families are often unable to sustain the financial demands of pursuing justice, especially those in low-income and rural communities,” he remarked.

The report also identified major delays in child protection cases, with at least 286 cases currently pending in court.

Some of these cases have lasted between two and ten years before resolution.

According to Bright Appiah, these delays have serious consequences for victims and their families.

“At least 286 child protection cases are currently pending in court, with some lasting between two and ten years, undermining confidence in the justice system.

“These delays deepen harm to victims and contribute to psychological distress, trauma, and anxiety among children,” he noted.

It further noted that repeated court appearances often expose children to secondary victimisation.

“Prolonged court processes lead to secondary victimisation, disrupt education, and expose children to stigma within their communities,” he added.

In some cases, families are forced to abandon cases or settle them informally due to financial and emotional strain, weakening accountability within the justice system.

CRI warned that these challenges are eroding public confidence in Ghana’s child protection system.

To address the challenges, it is calling for mandatory timelines for handling child protection cases and the establishment of specialised courts.

Police clarifies viral video of alleged child abuse

The report, titled “Perfidy of Justice Against Children: Evidence from Child Abuse Cases in Ghana,” pointed out significant gaps in the delivery of justice for child victims across the country,”

It covered 899 cases across 10 regions and 193 communities, identifying 23 major offences against children, with defilement emerging as the most prevalent.

JKB/VPO

I’m only half human - Kwame A Plus gets real