Saboba District Director of the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ), Mr. Gershon M. Nagbija, has bewailed the high rate of forced marriages in the district. The director named bethrothal of, especially school girls and the exchange of sister or daughter for wife, as some forms of forced marriages, which were very common in the area. Such marriages are arranged by parents of the girls, and sometimes by their brothers. Speaking exclusively to The Chronicle at Saboba, the director stated that in most instances, the unfortunate victims were subjected to severe beatings and torture, resulting in various degrees of injuries, or death if they refused. Mr. Nagbija recalled that in May 2006, a pregnant young girl of about 18 years, died mysteriously under similar circumstances, after she had been subjected to severe beatings and torture by her brothers, for refusing to be used for what they termed as replacement. According to him, what was more disturbing was the fact that most parents often withdrew their daughters from school, and forced them into such marriages. He said CHRAJ could not recommend prosecution, because the district had no law court. As a result, there was no process to mete punishment to parents and sons who orchestrate and execute these shameful acts. The director also expressed worry at delay tactics by the police, in getting to the root of such matters that have been reported to them. He noted that if the perpetrators were dealt with, it would serve as a deterrent to others. Mr. Nagbija accused some of the assembly members in the area, of condoning with parents to force their daughters into marriage against their will. He said whenever CHRAJ resolved matters of forced marriages and returned the victims to their parents they (victims) were still brutalized and forced back into such marriages. The director, therefore, appealed to the government, district assemblies, civil society organizations and religious bodies, to build what he termed, Victims' Support Centre in the district, to serve as accommodation and place of learning a trade or a vocation. At the time of filing this report, two young girls had taken refuge at the residence of one of the CH RAJ workers. Whilst one of them had objected to replacement by her father, for another wife, the other had also objected to the decision to exchange her for another woman for her brother. Mr. Nagbija said his outfit was ready to team up with any non-governmental organization (NGO), or the district assembly, to carry out public education on forced marriages, to drastically reduce the incidence in the district. He said another area of grave concern, was the issue of witchcraft allegations, where victims were being maltreated, banished or subjected to paying all sorts of fines. The director gave an instance where a man from Sobiiba, near Saboba, was accused by his people of witchcraft. He was summoned before the chief of the area, who allegedly kicked him with his leg, and ordered that he should be killed. Sensing danger the accused took to his heels, but he was chased and shot at. Fortunately the bullet narrowly missed him. He later reported the matter to the Saboba Police, but was directed to go back to his accusers. The latter then charged him GHc22.00, a fowl and a bottle of local gin (akpeteshie), before he was tried. After the trial, the chief priest charged him to pay GHc30.00, a ram, a bottle of schnapps and a white cockerel for witchcraft. It was later reported to the police at Yendi, who charged the chief and his people, to compensate the accused, and reintegrate him into the community. Mr. Nagbija observed that in rescuing these victims, there was the need for the district office of the commission to have a means of transport, like a car. He said the only means of transport was a single motorbike, which could not be used to rescue victims in life-threatening situations. Out of a total of 16 cases reported in January and February this year, nine of them were forced marriages, domestic violence -1, child custody – 3, witchcraft allegations - 1, denial of pregnancy - 1 and breach of commitment - 1. Source: The Chronicle