The Human Rights Committee of Parliament has condemned in the strongest terms the inhumane punishment of a seven-year-old girl who suffered severe burns after her guardian allegedly pressed a hot spoon against her private parts, upper thighs, and buttocks as punishment for bedwetting.
In a statement signed by the Chairman of the Committee and Member of Parliament for Kumawu, Ernest Yaw Anim, the committee described the act as “barbaric and inhumane,” noting that it constitutes a gross violation of the child’s fundamental human rights.
Mr. Anim emphasised that such cruelty breaches the right to dignity, protection from torture and degrading treatment, and the right to a safe and nurturing environment, as guaranteed by the 1992 Constitution of Ghana and the Children’s Act, 1998 (Act 560).
He stressed that no cultural, traditional, or disciplinary justification can ever excuse such violent treatment of a child, urging greater public awareness of child rights and responsible parenting.
The committee called on the Ghana Police Service and the Department of Social Welfare to launch an immediate investigation and ensure justice for the victim. It also encouraged the public to report all forms of child abuse to the appropriate authorities without fear or hesitation.
Mr. Anim reaffirmed the committee’s commitment to advocating for the protection, safety, and dignity of every child in Ghana, assuring that the case will be closely monitored to ensure due process and accountability.
