Koforidua, March 17, GNA - At least 189 defilement cases were recorded in the New Juaben Municipality in 2009 as against 159 recorded in 2008, the Eastern Regional Director of the Domestic Violence and Victim Support Unit (DOSSU), Deputy Superintendent of Police Eunice Annor has said. She said 16 defilement cases had so far been recorded from January to February.

Speaking at the launch of Easter School for Children in Koforidua on Wednesday, DSP Annor said 1,632 child abuse cases were recorded in the area last year as against 1,207 cases recorded in 2008. She mentioned some of the cases as abduction, child trafficking, exploitation of child labour, non-maintenance, indecent assault, incest, unnatural carnage and degrading treatment and torture. Others are exposing the child to harm or danger, child stealing, unlawful child removal and abandoned child. DSP Annor said the situation was worrying and called for concerted efforts from all to address it.

Mr Emile F. Short, Commissioner on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAG), in a speech read on his behalf said in spite of efforts to guarantee the welfare of the child his or her rights, the situation of many children in the country still left much to be desired. "Most children are faced with various challenges in respect of the enjoyment of their fundamental human rights and freedoms". He mentioned some of them as child labour and its worst forms comprising fishing, children in agriculture, hawking, head porters and domestic servitude, slavery, forced labour and bonded labour including child trafficking, pornographic performances and prostitution among others.

Mr Short said some cultural practices also allowed for the violation of the rights of children, especially the girl child.

"In the northern part of Ghana for instance female Genital Mutilation (FGM), early marriage and infanticide are common while there is also the prevalence of ritual servitude (Trokosi) in some parts of the Volta and Greater Accra regions".

Mr Short said it was obvious that the Ghanaian child was also abused sexually both at school and in domestic settings adding that some are defiled, raped and sexually harassed by family members, close associates, teachers and the like.

"Even with the implementation of the Free Compulsory Universal Basic Education (FCUBE), some parents and guardians still keep their children and wards at home for this purpose," she said.

Mr Short said efforts should be made to ensure that concerns of children's vulnerability were addressed in developmental polices and programmes. He urged state institutions established to promote and enforce child protection policies to be well resourced and monitored to ensure that the rights of Ghanaian children are well protected.

The Easter School for Children will be held in Sunyani under the theme "Child Protection is a Human Right: Bridging the gab between Rights and Reality".

The objective of the school is to build the capacity of children to be able to effectively participate in discussions of issues that affect the promotion of their rights and welfare.