The Member of Parliament for Salaga South, Zuwera Mohammed Ibrahimah has made a call for urgent action to protect the rights of vulnerable populations, emphasizing the persistent issue of child abuse, a matter of national and global concern.
According to Hon. Zuwera, the 2023 Ghana Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey, revealed that approximately 22% of children aged 1 to 14 experience violent discipline with reports of physical, emotional, and sexual abuse occurring with alarming frequency. “Protecting children and vulnerable groups is not only a legal obligation but also a moral imperative,” she stressed.
An urgent call to action was fueled by a deeply disturbing video that recently surfaced on social media. The footage depicted a 12-year-old child in a Ghanaian community, bound with nylon ropes to a roof and brutally beaten by three adults. She expressed fear at the incident but commended the Ghana Police Service for their swift and professional response and urged her colleagues to take a firm stand, “As lawmakers and custodians of human rights, we must intensify our efforts to address these pressing issues.”
She also proposed the launch of nationwide campaigns to educate communities on the rights of children and other vulnerable groups, promote a culture of zero tolerance for abuse, and encourage the reporting of violations and further called for the strengthening of legal frameworks and the enforcement of existing laws. “Let us reaffirm our collective resolve to champion human rights, protect the vulnerable, and build a future where every child in Ghana and beyond can live in safety and dignity,” she stated.