Heads of the Commonwealth Society Africa have expressed concern over the worrying trend of defilement cases especially in Ghana.

Royal Commonwealth Society Africa head, John Apea and the Africa Director of the Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative, Mina Mensah say the trend, if not arrested, will deny the girl child a right to a safe, secure future and inflict on them unimaginable pain for the rest of their lives.

Their comments contained in a joint statement are in commemoration of this year’s International Day for Peace which falls on the 21st September, 2018.

The theme for the celebration: “The Right to Peace - The Universal Declaration of Human Rights at 70” is to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

The declaration says in part, “Everyone has the right to life, liberty and security of person.”

As part of the occasion, the UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres said “It is time all nations and all people live up to the words of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which recognizes the inherent dignity and equal and inalienable rights of all members of the human race. This year marks the 70th anniversary of that landmark document.”

But the call for the respect of human rights, especially the rights of children, the most vulnerable in the society, appears to be falling on deaf ears.

At least three children are said to be defiled daily in the last three years with over 3,000 girls said to have fallen victims.

The figures were contained in the 2017 Criminal Investigations Department Annual Crime Statistics report.

According to the report, 1,630 cases of abuse were reported in 2015 alone.

In 2016, 1,341 were reported while 1,685 were reported in 2017. These figures exclude rape.

Gender Minister-designate, Cynthia Morrison attributed the menace to fear, poverty and lack of education.   

John Apea

But the Commonwealth Africa heads are appalled by the development saying “no child must be allowed to go through such horrendous abuse.”

For an organization that has committed itself to promoting literacy, skills impartation, total education and development of the youth across the Africa region, John Apea said the RCS Africa is “deeply worried by the development.”

He called for a severe sanctions regime to perpetrators of those heinous crimes to act as a deterrent for those who may want to indulge in same.

More importantly, he said the government must, as a matter of urgency, find appropriate medical and psychological treatment to the thousands of children whose lives have been put at risk.

Mina Mensah also pledged the support of the Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative in finding a lasting solution to the canker.