The Ghana chapter of the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA) has entreated women and girls who have been sexually harassed in churches to report such acts for legal assistance.

According to the non-profit organisation, victims of sexual violence and abuse should, "come out with their experiences in order to raise awareness about these despicable acts."

Owing to this, the Federation has created platforms for such persons to report their grievances for necessary steps to be taken to address them.

"These platforms provide the opportunity for victims of violence to report such acts whilst providing a trained lawyer to attend to their legal needs," a statement issued on Wednesday explained.

The statement signed by the President of FIDA-Ghana, Afua Brown-Eyeson, condemned Rev Father Obeng Larbi, the Anglican Priest sighted in a viral video kissing three female students of the St. Monica's College in Asante Mampong.

FIDA described the incident as a disturbing and unfortunate one, adding that religious authority "should not be used as a cloak to oppress and abuse women and girls who most often need the protection of these clerics."

"Sexual harassment and sexual abuse is not a laughing matter. For far too long, the issue of sexual harassment has been at best side-lined and at worst silenced in the church.

"It is now time to challenge cultures of entitlement and abuse of power by clerics which plague women and girls in religious settings," the statement noted.

It added: "The reality though is that sexual harassment and abuse by clerics has been in the news for quite a while due to undue influence, duress, and fear of religious authority."

While calling on religious leaders "to initiate changes and to establish and maintain a culture which abhors sexual harassment and sexual misconduct," FIDA-Ghana commended the Anglican Church for relieving the Priest of his duties in the School.

"FIDA-Ghana applauds the Anglican Church of Ghana for taking this matter seriously by relieving Rev Father Larbi of his duties, providing counselling for the girls and investigating this unfortunate incident.

"It is now time for women and girls who have been sexually harassed in churches to come out with their experiences in order to raise awareness of these despicable acts," part of the statement read.

The Anglican Church in an August 17 statement indicated that “the said Priest will be dealt with in accordance with the norms and values of the Anglican Communion where morality is extremely revered in the Church.”

Meanwhile, authorities of St. Monica’s College of Education in Asante Mampong have started providing counselling services to the students who were kissed by the Chaplain of the school in a viral video.

What happened?

A viral video that shows a chaplain kissing three female students got many social media users upset.

Rev Obeng Larbi of the St. Monica’s College of Education, fully dressed in his cassock, was seen kissing some girls who were on stage with him, in turns.

The first two kisses got the congregants screaming with excitement. However, the third female student could be seen hesitating to give in to the priest’s gesture but was forced to in the end.

Thus, many are calling for investigations into the matter and a statement from the school authorities apologising for the action.

An education think tank, Africa Education Watch, has demanded that the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC) investigates the matter and apply sanctions where necessary.

The Metropolitan Archbishop of Ghana has also set up a Committee to investigate the matter.