It baffles me why sexual abuse cases keep on increasing in Ghana. I do not know why some adults instead of protecting the little ones who will become future leaders rather abuse and exploit them, especially sexually.

They take advantage of the child's innocence and use them to satisfy their sexual needs. The young ones are our future leaders.

Some will become Presidents, Ministers, Lawyers, Farmers and pastors to mention a few. If we subject them to sexual harassment it will affect them physically, emotionally, psychologically and saddle them with long term problems.

Even though childhood sexual abuse has received some attention over the years, in recent times the cases keep on increasing in Ghana, Africa and all over the world.

This I believe poses a great danger to our children who will be the custodians of the systems of the world tomorrow.

Studies have shown that children who suffer sexual abuse become depressed due to self -blame and guilt, they experience sexual problems, repressions, dissociative patterns and have relationship problems.

This affects their well -being and their ability to function normally as human beings is distorted. Their learning capacity depreciates and if proper measures are not put in place to help them recover from this heinous act their productivity level at workplaces are also affected when they grow up.

Sexual abuse is very serious and I urge the various institutions responsible for protecting these children and the vulnerable to wake up to their task and bring those who cause such wicked acts to book. 

I kindly urge community members and parents whose children are abused by family members and other relatives to expose the perpetrators.

It's rather unfortunate a lot of people turn to hide culprit who commit this act. Please let’s stop this act and report rapists and abusers of children to authorities who are responsible for handling such cases.

Parents, let us always protect our children. We should do our best to know the places they visit to play, the friends they are making, and people who send them on errands and what they are telling them.

I kindly call on organisations to have staff members and stakeholders sign Child Protection Policy contract which implies they will always protect children everywhere.

Fellow Ghanaians, all hands should be on deck, let us work together to protect our children who are our future leaders.

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Nana Adjoa Denkyi is passionate about mentoring and educating young ladies to become leaders of change. She currently works with an NGO in Accra which promotes girls education and women empowerment.