Forcing rapists to marry defiled victims not acceptable – Traditional leader

Nana Ogyedom Tetsewah I

Men who defile girl children should be reported to the police but not allow them to marry their victims to cover up their evil deeds.

According to the Osumpahen of Gomoa Akyempim Traditional Council, Nana Ogyedom Ama Tsetsewah I, giving such men the choice to make the young ones their wives is an endorsement of their actions which does not augur well for society. 

In an interview with The Spectator on Tuesday which was the International Day of the Girl Child, she said the practice in some communities did not deter the culprits from the unfortunate act but rather encouraged them to continue their actions. 

Nana Ogyedom Tetsewah I said children must feel free and safe to move about in their communities and be given the opportunity to enjoy their childhood instead of living in fear.

She said child marriage should never be a reward for children who had been defiled and become pregnant. 

She said the theme of this year’s event ” Our Time is Now – Our Rights Our Future” was apt and stated that, what needed to be done was community vigilance to fish out those who defiled the girl-children because such persons were a threat to both the present and future generations who would be robbed of their chances to realise their dreams of becoming responsible citizens.

She said a number of girls had been forced to drop out of school as a result of pregnancy by the actions of unscrupulous men.

“Imagine marrying someone who forced to have sex with you and also is as old as your father or grandfather” she said. 

She said that society’s commitment to the fight against child marriage was currently nothing to write home about therefore, and so there was the need for all and sundry to get on board and fight against this canker because girls must also be given an equal opportunity to lead.

The Osumpahen appealed to traditional, religious leaders and the Ghana Police Service to get actively involved in the education of the public against child marriage to promote the rights of the girl-child.

From DzifaTettehTay, Tema.