A fifty- year-old Islamic teacher has allegedly defiled a five-year-old girl at Nima, a popular community within the Greater Accra Region.
According to mother of the victim (name withheld), on November 18, 2021, her child returned from school after 5pm which was very unusual. She questioned her and even threatened to beat her the next time she comes home late but the child said nothing.
On the morning of November 19, 2021, as she bathed her daughter to prepare her for school, the small girl resisted anytime she attempted to wash her private part. She became curious and asked her what was wrong but she did not say anything.
“I forced her and threatened to beat if she does not tell me why she will not let me wash her private her. She started crying and mentioned that her Islamic Teacher applied pomade on his fingers and inserted them into her vagina. I started shivering and as I tried to probe further, she started shaking and said, the Islamic teacher warned her not to tell anyone” the victim’s mother recounted as she wept uncontrollably.
In order not to destabilize the victim, her mother managed to get her daughter to school without creating a scene.
Medical Examination
She then called a few family relatives and then borrowed some money, went back to the school around midday to pick her daughter to Mamobi Polyclinic in the Greater Accra Region.
It was at that point that the Medical Practitioner directed that the child be sent to the Police Hospital for further examination due to the extent of damage.
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“I took my daughter to the Police Hospital as directed and it was at that point that the Medical Doctor at Police Hospital requested I officially report at the Nima Police Station and submit the Police Report to them,” the victim’s mother explained.
After the medical examination at the Police Hospital, the Medical Doctor confirmed that the man did not only use his hands, he also attempted to penetrate my daughter but he did not succeed as my daughter was seriously injured already.
Arrest and Death Threats
The suspect was arrested the evening of Friday, November 19, 2021 as I had information that the suspect was likely to abscond. After the arrest, I received a lot of calls and death threats by unknown people within the Nima community who insisted I withdraw the case against the “noble” Islamic cleric.
“His family members offered me GHC3,500 for my daughter’s medical bills and promised to take care of my daughter for the next three months to conclude all the medical examination process. They as well promised to adequately take care of my daughter and should not have any worries as the MP for the area is solidly behind them. I declined the offer and since then I have known no peace. My landlady at Nima accused me of bringing shame unto the community because I caused the arrest of a supposedly quiet, calm and respectable Islamic teacher,” She lamented.
“No one seems to care about the welfare of my daughter. It appears they are all guarding the shameless reputation of this 50-yr-old Islamic teacher who might be doing the same thing to other school children. All I wanted was to ensure that my daughter was not infected with any deadly virus, then I can withdraw the case but now I have to leave the community [Nima] with my daughter because the death threats are unbearable”.
The suspect was later granted bail and was asked to present himself to the police on a scheduled date. However, the suspect has been re-arrested after a non-governmental Organisation, INERELA+ Ghans reported the incident to the media.
Fight for Justice
Speaking in an interview with Atinka News’ Regina Asamoah, Country Director of INERELA+ Ghana , Mercy Acquah-Hayford disclosed how this sad incident came to their attention and steps taken to ensure justice is served.
According to her, INERELA+ Ghana in partnership with Women in Law and Development Africa (WiLDAF) will provide legal assistance for the family aside other welfare support.
The case is expected to be heard at the Gender Court today 7th December, 2021.
Ghana together with the world is observing 16-days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence which span from November, 25 – December, 10. It is a period where there is increase advocacy on issues of Gender-Based Violence. The ordeal of this 5-yr-old is just one in a million of several abuse cases that are recorded on daily basis.
Article 34 of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, charges State Parties to protect the child from all forms of sexual exploitation and sexual abuse. Similarly, Article 39 also calls appropriate measures to promote physical and psychological recovery and social reintegration of a child victim of any form of neglect, exploitation or abuse.
Justice for this 5-year-old victim of abuse, will deepen Ghana’s fight against Gender-Based Violence.
Ghana| Regina Asamoah| [email protected]