Human Rights Reporters Ghana (NGO)

Month: July 2022

  • 7-year-old girl tied up ‘like a lamb to slaughter’ stole a “common” biscuit-Victims’ stepmother reveals

    7-year-old girl tied up ‘like a lamb to slaughter’ stole a “common” biscuit-Victims’ stepmother reveals

    An investigation by the Human Rights Reporters Ghana (HRRG) into the circumstances that led to the victimization and gruesome torture of a 7-year-old girl whose feet and hands were bounded with ropes by his father for hours in the name of punishment for a wrongdoing has pointed out to an allegation levelled against her for shoplifting of a biscuit from neighbours’ shop.

    The bizarre incident which took place at Ampaame, a town located in Kumasi within the Ashanti Region of Ghana on Friday July 15, had since received an outright public outcry and condemnation the moment the issue was brought to light by the Human Rights Reporters Ghana.

    The victim, looking malnourished, had received severe flogging, left without food and above all tied up with ropes by both hands and feet from dawn to dusk, according to an eyewitness who spoke to the HRRG team of investigative journalists.

    Executive Director of the Human Rights Reporters Ghana, Joseph Wemakor, in an interview with Victoria Beeko Danso, host of HB Pulse on Homebase TV, Thursdays July 21, observed findings of HRRG proved the victim was accused of petty stealing of food items including money.

    But the theft of a biscuit from a nearby kiosk on that fateful day of the incident was the last straw that broke the camel’s back, angered the father to carry out the nefarious act of torture, inhumane and degrading punishment upon her.

    According to him, this revelation came to light upon interrogation with the victim’s step mother, who let the cat out of the bag.

    “So what was her offence, it was alleged that she often steals little things;  she is a kleptomaniac and on that fateful day she stole a biscuit from somebody’s shop and that was why the father wants to crucify her”, he laments.

    Mr. Wemakor who doubles as both the  Co-convener of the Youth Sub-Platform and the SDG3 of the Civil Society Organizations Platform on SDGs in Ghana averred that the information HRRG gathered so far from its sources further revealed that the family of twelve appears to be living in penury, a situation which put pressure on the parents to visit their anger and frustration on their children upon a slightest provocation resulting in frequent maltreatment sometimes in the form of beatings, abuse and torture among others.

    The perpetrator, he revealed, was a former staff of the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) who retired from active service as a security officer.  He married two women and gave birth to 10 children of which the victim, a 7-year-old is the last born.

    Her current wife under his roof is the step mother of the victim who happens to be the biological mother of the other 9 children.

    Describing the kind of poor lifestyle the family is living vividly portrayed in the image captured by the eyewitnesses on the ground, Mr. Wemakor was convinced that this is a family which needs help and appealed to civil society organizations, well-wishers and the general public to come on board, partner HRRG to galvanize support and help provide aid for them while seeking justice for the young victim.

    “Look, a pensioner with 10 children and a wife who is a peasant farmer, how are they able to feed all these children including themselves. Obviously, the reason for visiting their frustration on their children upon the slightest offence or wrongdoing”.

    The HRRG boss wondered why a police officer only known as Mr. Asante at the Ampaame Police Station where the case was first reported did not take action to rescue the child and arrest the culprit upon being shown a photograph and a video footage of the victim but rather delayed the process and thwarted efforts aimed at rescuing the victim.

    He assured of his outfit’s commitment to follow the case to its logical conclusion and ensure justice is served the victim while the perpetrator (s) are brought to book to serve as deterrent to other child rights violators

    Mr. Wemakor admonished all Ghanaians and viewers watching beyond the shores of Ghana to endeavour to get to know about their rights and help educate others who do not seem to know to be enlightened as well in order to stand up for themselves and others whenever their rights are being infringed upon.  

    “So let’s be each other’s protector and let’s help the poor, and the vulnerable in society. Those of us who are having; the halves should help the halves not. And then, the education on human rights should be extended to all boundaries”, he posited.  

    Host of HB Pulse on Homebase TV, Victoria Beeko Danso who was equally touched by the plight of the 7-year-old victim upon watching the disturbing footage and listening to the narrations by the HRRG boss could simply not hold herself back from sounding a note of caution to all child rights abusers in the world.

    “In as much as you’re going through hell or hardship does not give you the mandate or the impetus to carry out your frustration and your anger on the innocent child who didn’t ask to be born. If you are living with someone’s child and you cannot take care of them, please take them back to their families. You have absolutely no right to treat them as if they are lesser human beings”, she bemoans.

    She furthered: “I’m very passionate when it comes to issues of children because they are defenceless, vulnerable. Even the good book says if anyone wanted to enter the kingdom of God, they should behave like children that is how God sees children; innocent, pure”

    “Carrying out your frustrations on children is a big NO, NO, NO. Please, children have rights, and they are human beings, everyone has been a child before. Children are vulnerable. They are innocent. They are supposed to be loved, protected and cared for”, the concerned TV host aptly concluded”.

    The Human Rights Reporters Ghana (HRRG) is a vibrant Ghanaian human rights advocacy group with a global reach, committed to ensuring people’s rights are respected, protected and fulfilled. 

    It is made up of young Ghanaian journalists, editors, lawyers, human rights activists, advocates and defenders who are wholly dedicated to addressing issues of human rights violations in Ghana and beyond to bring the country closer to achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

    HRRG work revolves around helping victims of human rights violations get access to justice, public education/ capacity building on human rights, advocacy including shedding light, sounding alarm on issues of human rights violations to draw the attention of duty bearers to take the necessary actions to tackle issues in a bid to end up all forms of human rights abuses the country is confronted with which infringes upon the enjoyment of people’s freedom and fundamental human rights particularly children, women, girls, persons with disabilities, the aged and the minority groups who are the vulnerable in our society.

    Watch the full interview below:

    Source: HRRG

  • Tied like an animal to a slaughter: harrowing story of a teenager

    Tied like an animal to a slaughter: harrowing story of a teenager

    Imagine being crucified by your own parents in a manner which smacks of evil beyond your wildest imagination all in the name of instilling discipline in you.

    What a price to pay for wrongdoing? And how will you feel?

    A million dollar questions that would race through any sound mind after a careful look at the ignoble photograph (s) accompanying this publication.

    This is a harrowing tale of a young girl whose fate hangs precariously in the balance as her woes deepens without getting justice.

    It is hard to believe such a young innocent girl who could not even hurt a fly should be subjected to a barbaric act of high magnitude of torture and pain in this 21st century where respect for human rights is gradually gaining prominence.

    I got a distress phone call from a young lady last Sunday afternoon who only introduced herself as Ms. Adepa.  It was just after I had successfully wrapped up on a Television program which discussed how to address issues of human rights violations in Ghana which I was privileged to be invited as a guest to share my views and educate the public.   

    I could hear sadness in her voice from the other side of the telephone as she broke the unfortunate news to me about this young girl whose name is unknown to her. 

    Her phone line was not too clear at that moment therefore I could hardly hear her out when she spoke. She gave a very brief narration.

    All that I’ve managed to pick up from her conversation in a minute was: “Ok, I’ll try and share a photograph of a victim with you so you can follow up with the issue and help seek justice for her.  

    She concluded with a question: “does your mobile phone support whatsapp application”?  I replied yes, and her line dropped.  

    It dawned on me that another issue of human rights abuse is being reported again as it is always with strange calls I usually receive through my mobile phone on a daily basis.

    I later turned my data on and quickly navigated to whatsapp to check up on my received messages, all of sudden to my surprise two photographs of horror flashed in my face. 

    I became extremely dumbfounded, worried and sorrowful for the plight of a young innocent girl whose hands and legs were tied up together in ropes like an animal to a slaughter house. What a pity, I exclaimed and wondered what could have been her problem looking at her situation after all.

    So many questions raced through my mind for a seconds which I could not find an answer to so I was compelled to dig by placing a phone call back to the distress caller where I inundated her with questions to satisfy my curiosity. 

    The response I received afterwards was not convincing at all. It baffles me to realize that her woes were engineered by her own parents or guardians.

    How could her own relatives descend so low to such a tangent of subjecting her to an unwarranted and dehumanizing treatment or punishment all in the name of instilling discipline in her? Oh! maen, I can’t think far.   

    Children are supposed to be the greatest treasure of their parents/guardians on earth who deserve to be treated with utmost care and attention. But what do we see happening these days in the world?.

    Unfortunately, the rights of our children are violated every blessed day while the perpetrators are left unpunished as a result of failure on part of the sanctioning authorities to act and bring them to book.

    It is obvious, the canker of child labour, child marriage, teenage pregnancy, child trafficking, sale of a child, child prostitution, child pornography and abduction to mention a few are crimes that are on rise being perpetrated against children by adults who are supposed to protect them.  

    In the case of this unfortunate kid, what actually was her crime to be treated in such a barbaric, atrocious and dehumanizing manner? Is this child not a human being like any other child who deserves to be treated with dignity? Where lies her basic rights and freedoms as a child?  What kind of parents does she have? Hmmm.

    Surprisingly, in one of the photos which I’ve received from this benefactress, two men could be seen, one sitting down on a wooden bench while the other squatting deeply engrossed in conversation with each other, looking unconcerned while the child suffers in pain as the ropes she was tied with tightens up firmer. 

    What an abomination? Indeed, this is unacceptable and very bad of parents who are supposed to be caretakers of their children and not villains who maltreat their children in the name of wrongdoing.

    Madam Adepa in a chat with me revealed she was really touched by the plight of the child the moment her eyes caught hold of her lying down in such a sorrowful and degrading state which triggered shock and horror in her sight.

    She revealed witnessing this horrendous incident at a vicinity in Sokoban, a town in Kumasi in the Ashanti Region of Ghana while on her way to visit a friend who lived nearby.

    Her immediate reaction was to take some shots of her then quickly turn to google search for a contact of a human rights activist who could intervene to help save the  life of the little child from her tormentors after her efforts to rescue her proved abortive. 

    Adepa further disclosed she received the threat of her life from a woman who appears to be either the mother or caretaker of the victim at the scene when she attempted to rescue the child.

    “The woman almost slapped me. I never thought people could be so heartless treating human beings like animals in this 21st century”, she laments.

    She pointed out to an elderly man who appeared in one of the images sitting on a bench (in white shirt and cap) as the father of the victim, while referring to the man squatting next to him as a ‘rescuer’ who was trying to negotiate for the release of the youngster who was reeling under the abhorrent and excruciating pain of torture at the time but to no avail.

    Ultimately, Adepa wondered if subjecting a child to torture, or to cruel or inhuman treatment or punishment is the best form of discipline parents could instil in their children who committed an act of wrongdoing which indicated to me goes contrary to the law.

    The gravity of this beastly act cannot be overemphasized as the United Nations’ Universal Declaration of Human Rights unequivocally stated in its Article 5 that, ‘No one shall be subjected to torture or to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.’

    The UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC), the Children’s Act 560 1998 and the Child’s Act 1989 which protect children from violence and exploitation strongly equally abhorred barbaric treatment of children as well.

    The parents of this young girl who subjected her to torture, inhuman and degrading treatment must be dealt with according to law and we at the Human Rights Reporters Ghana (HRRG) will push for this to happen. 

    This would serve as a deterrent to other parents, guardians and caretakers who violate the rights of their children to quit.

    This is a typical example of gross child rights abuse where the victim’s right to life and liberty is flagrantly violated by her parents. An act which ought to be condemned by all and sundry in no uncertain terms; anyhow, anywhere and anytime.

    Indeed, another war for the Ghanaian vibrant human rights advocacy group with a global reach wholly committed to ensuring that human rights are respected, protected and fulfilled to fight.

    These and many more we take care of on a daily basis at the Human Rights Reporters Ghana (HRRG) to ensure wrongdoing is punished and justice is served to the victims of human rights violations to ensure rights are respected and peace prevails.

    Our only prayer is that the authorities would move swiftly into action and ensure the perpetrators are apprehended and dealt with according to law so that justice is served this innocent child who deserves nothing but a life of dignity in the absence of torture or any dehumanizing treatment.


    Source:Human Rights Reporters Ghana
  • 19 students of Annor Adjaye SHS suspended for “Strange Reasons”

    19 students of Annor Adjaye SHS suspended for “Strange Reasons”

    Information reaching the Human Rights Reporters Ghana (HRRG) an NGO championing the fight against all forms of abuse indicates that striking teachers and the school management have asked nearly 19 students of Annor Adjaye SHS located at Ezilinbo in the Jomoro Municipality of the Western Region to go home for “strange reasons”.

    The punitive measure was taken because the students were seen in their dormitories during contact hours during the teachers’ ongoing strike.

    Teachers have been on strike since July 4 2022, while this decision was taken on 7th July 2022.

    Unconfirmed reports indicated that the students have been studying on their own since July 4th without teachers attending to their needs as they prepare for the 2022 WASSCE examination.

    Before the school issued the letter to the students, the victims had as usual gone to class to study on their own and reported to the school dormitory later to carry out other duties as required of them.

    On the said day, the final year students got to class and realized the SHS1 students were getting ready for their end-of-semester examination, which required the SHS1 students to use the Seniors Block close to the school’s assembly hall. This block occupies final-year students during normal school hours.

    The presence of the SHS1 students, and the impending end-of-semester examination, meant the final-year students would not be able to use the facility.

    Some final year students went to the school canteen, while others returned to the school dormitory to enable the SHS1 students to concentrate and write their examinations.

    However, some teachers followed the students to the dormitory, which compelled students to start running away.

    Those who were convinced their teachers meant good by following them were summoned and later given letters to go on two weeks suspension.

    The about 19 students were asked to bring out their bags, tranks, and chop boxes. They were later parked into the school bus to be driven to the main junction without any information to their parents about the decision by the school per our sources.

    Students were asked to get down halfway through the journey and were left stranded. The students have since complained about the treatment meted to them without the school authorities hearing their side of the story.

    The Ghana Education Service prior to this event had cautioned students to obey school rules or face stiffer sanctions for not cooperating with school management and for breaking school rules. It directed authorities to report students who smoke or engage in any criminal activity to the police or de-boardinized those who deserve it among others.

    The big question is, What do the rules for asking students to leave school on suspension say? And will it not be prudent that parents are informed about the decision of the school before any such actions are taken? What happens to a student who is left stranded by the school in the middle of nowhere if the candidate has no funds to commute home, or if something bad happens to the said student while journeying home?

    Per the letter issued by the management of the school, the final year students will be de-boardinized after serving the two weeks suspension.

    In a related development, the Human Rights Reporters Ghana (HRRG) which broke the news about the dehumanizing treatment meted to the student of the same school on Mother’s Day has written to the Ghana Education Service to furnish it with proof of decisions and sanctions against the teachers who flogged students mercilessly in May 2022.

    The Human Rights Reporters Ghana (HRRG) has conveyed its wishes in a letter requesting the Ghana Education Service (GES) to part with the full proof of information on the outcomes of the investigation it has conducted backed by the details of sanctions meted out to the 7 teachers who mercilessly flogged and inflicted cane wounds on 19 final year students of the Annor Adjaye Senior High School in the Jomoro Municipality of the Western Region of Ghana on Sunday, May 8, 2022.

    The HRRG further looks forward to a swift response from the GES in the above matters which it believes demand more attention at the school, district, regional, and national levels compared to the current issue and the action taken by the school.

    The letter issued and signed by Mr. Francis Essel, the head teacher, reads…

    I write to inform you that your ward……has been suspended for two weeks with immediate effect. He is to stay with you in the house for two weeks, after which he will be made a day student.

    The decision by management is a result of him staying in the dormitory during classes hours.

    You are to offer him pieces of advice that will discourage him from such behaviour within the period of his stay with you.

    Source:Human Rights Reporters Ghana

  • HRRG writes officially to GES; demands full disclosure of disciplinary committee report on Annor-Adjaye canning saga

    HRRG writes officially to GES; demands full disclosure of disciplinary committee report on Annor-Adjaye canning saga

    The Human Rights Reporters Ghana (HRRG) has conveyed it wishes in a letter requesting the Ghana Education Service (GES) to part with the full proof of information on the outcomes of investigation it has conducted backed by the details of sanctions meted out to the 7 teachers who mercilessly flogged and inflicted cane wounds on 19 final year students of the Annor Adjaye Senior High School in the Jomoro Municipality of the Western Region of Ghana on Sunday May 8, 2022.

    This follows an earlier pronouncement made by the GES Western Regional Director of Education, Mad. Felicia Okai while reacting to an interview on the Angel TV’s Anopa Bofo morning show on Monday June 27, 2022 indicating that the perpetrators of the barbaric act have been demoted in line with the institution’s code.

    “According to our policy, no corporal punishment and so we relieved them {offending teachers} of their positions as first time offenders” said Madam Okai.

    In a letter dated July 6 2022, signed by its Executive Director, Joseph Wemakor, addressed to the Western Regional Education Director, Madam Felicia Okai and copied to the Director General of the Ghana Education Service in Accra, the group hinted that it has become crucial for it to be served with the full details of the disciplinary committee report on the canning saga by the GES to help it advance its investigation while continuing to inform the public accordingly on developments concerning the matter in a bid to seek justice for the victims.

    “We are therefore in the interest of fairness, accountability, integrity and by the authority of the right to information act 989, 2019 humbly requests your outfit; the Western Regional Ghana Education Service to make available the following;

    A. The proof of full report on the findings of the investigation.

     B. A clear evidence of steps taken to punish the teachers involved”.

     Read the full letter below:

    Source: Human Rights Reporters Ghana

  • HRRG gets invitation to join Democratic Accountability and Inclusive Governance

    HRRG gets invitation to join Democratic Accountability and Inclusive Governance

    Prof. Kwame Karikari, Former Executive Director of the Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA) has entreated the Human Rights Reporters Ghana (HRRG) to come on board and support the Coalition for Democratic Accountability and Inclusive Governance in its bid to end democratic decline and secure inclusive governance and development in Ghana.

    “You are part of the agenda so try and join the coalition and help the good cause to succeed”.

    He made this call while speaking at a media engagement and the launch of the Coalition for Democratic Accountability and Inclusive Governance also known as the Citizens’ Coalition in Accra on Monday July 4, 2022.

    Prof. Karikari was responding to a question posed by the C.E.O. of the Human Rights Reporters, Joseph Wemakor on what practical steps or measures would the Coalition be exploring the burgeoning human rights issues the country is confronted when he made the call for the Human Rights Reporters Ghana to join the Coalition.

    Prof. Karikari responding to a question by Joseph Wemakor, the Executive Director of Human Rights Reporters on what practical steps or measures would be adopted by the Coalition to help address the burgeoning human rights issues the country is confronted with, explains the Citizens’ Coalition mandate seeks to give backing to various initiatives being championed by both individuals, groups and organizations in the country which conforms to their agenda to thrive.  

    “Most organizations have their mandate which they’re already working on. Some are working on women’s right issues, others are already working on corruption, issues, and others are dealing with many aspects of issues concerning society”.

    “So these organizations would not stop doing the work they’re doing, so collectively we would pick up issues that are of national scale, both small or big but we think if your organization is a member or even if you’re not a member, but we think that the matter you are dealing with is of such imports, then we have the volition to join you or to pick up that issue”.  

    Ghanaians have, in recent months been experiencing a very rapid deterioration of their living conditions occasioned partly by the persistent depreciation of the cedi; leading to a severe weakening of the purchasing power of most working people, and the unprecedented steep rise in the cost of living as food prices continue to soar. Prices of petroleum products are on the rise; affecting cost of transportation amongst other things. Rent is equally high. These factor have invariably affected the cost of health care amongst Ghanaians, as well as other basic necessities.

    According to Citizens’ Coalition, measures taken by authorities so far do not seem to have the potency to mitigate these serious challenges but rather they blamed their failure on the prevailing socio-economic challenges are a global phenomenon occasioned by the combined effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and the Russia/Ukraine war.

    In a presentation made by Nana Afadzinu, the Executive Director of WACSI on behalf of the Coalition, several issues confronting the country were raised which include the monster of youth unemployment, corruption and the needless waste of public resources, the purported reclassification of the Achimota Forest Reserve and matters arising, government’s steps at implementing the Agyapa Royalties Agreements and matters arising, improper accounting for Covid-19 funds and failure in passage of the Affirmative Action Bill to law

    The Citizens’ Coalition is of the view that the socio-economic and governance challenges faced by the country have reached critical dimensions hence there’s the need to join forces and put pressure on government to rise up to the occasion and deal with the issues to ensure democratic renewal, economic and social justice prevail.

    “Fellow country men and women, we are gravely concerned that these developments, if not checked, would continue to pose an ever-increasing existential threat to our democracy. It would embolden misguided political actors and elements and even sections of our population, particularly our youth, who see no relief in the existing state of affairs, to consider as appropriate, disruptive and authoritarian alternatives to constitutional democracy”.

    “This is why a number of civil society organizations and individuals have come together to form this non-partisan coalition/movement which would harness democratic renewal, economic and social justice. This movement shall be known as the Coalition for Democratic Accountability and Inclusive Governance, CITIZENS’ COALITION for short”.