In a move to protect children and other vulnerable persons from sexual abuse, the Member of Parliament for Korle Klottey, Dr. Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings, is proposing the establishment of a National Sex Offenders Register to contain information on individuals convicted of sexual offences against children.
She says the register would allow institutions to conduct proper background checks and prevent convicted offenders from accessing environments where they could target vulnerable persons.
Speaking on the floor of Parliament, Dr. Agyeman-Rawlings warned that the fight against sexual abuse cannot be left to the police alone.
“The Ghana Police Service, particularly the Criminal Investigations Department, is ready to confront this scourge, but the police cannot do so in isolation.”
“They require the cooperation of families, communities, religious institutions, schools, medical professionals, and the justice system. When witnesses are intimidated, complaints withdrawn under pressure, or evidence concealed, we undermine the very institutions mandated to protect us.”
She said society must stop shielding perpetrators at the expense of victims.
“We must stop protecting perpetrators at the expense of innocent children and the vulnerable. I therefore call for the urgent establishment of a National Sex Offenders Register, supported by a comprehensive legal framework, with particular attention to individuals convicted of sexual offences against children.”
“Such a register must serve as a mechanism for accountability, appropriate monitoring, and the prevention of repeat offences.”
According to her, the register must stop offenders from quietly relocating to new communities or institutions to reoffend.
“It must enable authorised institutions to conduct proper background checks and prevent convicted sexual offenders from quietly moving between communities or institutions where they may gain access to other vulnerable persons.”
“Before anyone is permitted to teach, supervise, care for, or work closely with children, thorough background checks must be mandatory, particularly concerning previous convictions for sexual offences. The Ghana Education Service must take this responsibility seriously.”
Dr. Agyeman-Rawlings also condemned the practice of transferring teachers accused of sexual abuse to other schools instead of investigating them.
“We cannot simply transfer a teacher from one school to another when credible allegations of sexual abuse emerge, thereby potentially exposing other groups of children to danger.”
“Such allegations must be promptly reported, independently investigated, and addressed through the appropriate disciplinary and criminal justice processes.”
Speaker warns politicians against shielding suspects
Her statement drew a strong reaction from the Speaker, who criticised alleged attempts by political figures to protect suspects in the Obuasi SHTS case, cautioning that political leaders who interfere in the matter or shield those implicated could face consequences.
“What saddened me was the attitude of politicians. They treated it as if nothing happened. And people even dared to try to support the suspect to contest for a leadership position.”
“That is how offensive it has gone. And we should not encourage such things at all. Helpless, hapless kids, very vulnerable.”
The Speaker said Parliament was watching how the case would end.
“I don’t know how the people, I don’t know what you enjoy doing that. And so please, some of us are still on the lookout. We are watching as to how this case is going to end.”
“And those involved, particularly the political leaders, if you joke with it, we’ll punish you seriously because of this single case. We should take it very serious. Leadership is a service, is a sacrifice,” Speaker Bagbin warned.
By Christian Yalley
