Alhaji Alhassan Ibn Ibrahim, a Member of the Ashanti Regional Child Protection Committee, has condemned the recent torture of a 12-year-old boy, that has gone viral.
The incident has sparked public outrage after the video of the abuse surfaced on social media.
Alhaji Ibrahim said:” The act is barbaric, dehumanising and a stain on the conscience of society.”
He called for swift and stringent punitive measures against the perpetrators to serve as a deterrent to others who violate the rights and dignity of children.
Speaking to the Ghana News Agency (GNA) on the sidelines of a regional learning and sharing workshop in Kumasi, for girls and young women, organised by Defence for Children International (DCI) Alhaji Ibrahims urged law enforcement agencies to expedite investigations and ensure that justice was served without fear or favour.
“The torture of this young boy is not only a gross violation of his fundamental human rights but also an indictment of our collective failure to protect the vulnerable,” he said, adding, “such people must be incarcerated and kept away from any civilised society,” he stated.
Alhaji Ibn Ibrahim, who is also a member of DCI Champion of Change, expressed deep concern about the increasing trend of violence against children in various communities, often perpetrated under the guise of discipline or retribution.
He particularly appealed to the media to play a watchdog role by closely following the case to its logical conclusion.
According to him, sustained media coverage is crucial not only in ensuring that the perpetrators are brought to justice, but also in maintaining public interest and putting pressure on institutions responsible for child protection.
“The media must keep the spotlight on this case from the beginning of the investigation to the final prosecution. It is the only way to ensure that justice is not compromised and to remind the public that child abuse has no place in our society,” he stressed.
He further underscored the need for enhanced community awareness and education on children’s rights, emphasising that many children continue to suffer in silence due to ignorance, fear, or lack of access to protective services.
The workshop, which brought together adolescent girls and young women from across the Ashanti Region, focused on amplifying the voices of young people, sharing best practices in child protection, and promoting meaningful participation in decision-making processes that affect their lives.
Participants called on authorities to strengthen enforcement of child protection laws and provide accessible reporting channels for victims of abuse.
They also urged the government to invest more in psychosocial support services for children who have survived trauma and violence.
The viral video of the boy’s abuse has triggered widespread condemnation from civil society organisations, human rights advocates, and the public.
Alhaji Ibn Ibrahim concluded by reiterating that “a society that fails to protect its children fails in its most basic duty.