Children under "House arrest" rescued

The Department of Social Welfare and Community Development in the Hohoe Municipal and Afadzato South District and other stakeholders have rescued four children who were put under "house arrest" by their parents on religious grounds.

The parents, Victor Osei and Vivian Osei who belong to the Roman Catholics Church at Ve-Gbodorme, prevented their children aged 15, 13, five and two from attending school and engaging in other outdoor activities.

Mr Godwin Mawuena, Social Welfare and Community Development Director of the Hohoe Municipal Assembly, told the GNA that the parents took the action to  prevent the children from societal influence and to protect them for the second coming of Jesus Christ.

He said the only outdoor activity the children undertook was fetching water for the home and even that they did under cover of darkness.

Mr Mawuena said the children were in safe custody and were enjoying all the rights and liberties available to them in a reputable orphanage as the Department's core mandate was to integrate the vulnerable into the mainstream of socio-economic development.

The collaborating agencies include the police and Integrated Development and Empowerment Centre (IDEC) Ghana, a child right NGO in the Hohoe Municipality.

Mr Mawuena said 340 cases bordering on child rights and protection was handled by the Department with maintenance topping the cases followed by family welfare, child custody and paternity in that order during half year.

He said the government failed to release the mandated two percent allocation of the District Assemblies’ Common Fund over the last three-quarters meant for the disable persons.

On justice administration, the Director said efforts were being made to re-constitute the panel for the District Court for expedited adjudication of minors’ cases.

Mr Mawuena said lack of funding and logistical challenges were difficulties facing the Department.