Kassena-Nankana West District Social Welfare demands Justice for 9-Year-Old defilement Victim

The Social Welfare and Community Development Department in the Kassena-Nankana West District, has demanded the swift prosecution of a defilement case involving a 9-year-old girl.

The case, which has been in court since 2024, is dragging due to the absence of two key suspects. The Social Welfare department is unhappy and is pressing for a swifter prosecution to serve as a deterrent to others.

Speaking to Journalists, District Social Welfare Officer, Victoria Asuliwono, in providing details, expressed worry over the handling of the case, especially by the police.

She said the victim (name withheld), a resident of Kanania in Chiana, was defiled by a group of herdsmen on May 29, 2024, while on her way to fetch water from a stream in the community.

According to Asuliwono, the mother of the victim ran into the assault and raised an alarm, but the perpetrators escaped before they could be arrested by rescuers.

She said the family haven noted the severity of the assault, took the victim to the Chuchuliga Police Station and lodged a complaint and the Police after investigation arrested some suspects, who were released shortly after. This prompted the parents of the victim to take the case to the Social Welfare and Community Department.

Asuliwono said when the case got to her desk, she successfully pushed for the suspects to be rearrested and arraigned before the court. She, however, said the main suspect was later released on condition of ill health, while the youngest of the three suspects, was also released to go and take care of the herds of cattle.

Although the Navrongo Magistrate Court has awarded a fined against the third suspect in the sum of Ghc 4,000, after several appearance, the prosecutors are unable to tell the whereabouts of the two other suspects.

A displeased Victoria Asuliwono fears the poor handling of the case by the prosecutors may jeopardize justice.

“I have tried my best possible to get the attention of all the necessary stakeholders who matter but have not succeeded”,

“What I want is for us to get Justice on this particular case, so that it will deter people from repeating this”, she pleaded.

Asuliwono has, therefore, appealed to the local authorities to push in putting fire under the prosecutors to produce the two key suspects to face the law.

Meanwhile, the mother of the victim, in an interview with Journalists, has disclose the psychological, medical and social impact the incident has caused the victim. She said the victim has been forced to abandon school due to mockery mates.

Mike 105.3 FM | Navrongo | David Adapuna