You cannot celebrate mothers while the girl child is under attack - PNP warns

The People's National Party (PNP) has raised concerns over increasing cases of sexual abuse against girls. The PNP warned that Ghana cannot meaningfully celebrate mothers while the girl child continues to face abuse and exploitation.

The PNP stated that no woman can truly be happy when innocent girls are being defiled, abused, traumatised, infected with diseases and deprived of their future by perpetrators. The concerns follow a discussion on Adom FM, where a mother recounted a disturbing case involving her daughter, who was allegedly defiled between the ages of 10 and 14 by her biological father, a police officer. The victim reportedly suffered two abortions and later tested positive for HIV. The mother also expressed frustration over delays in securing justice despite reporting the case to authorities. The PNP described the incident as a national emergency requiring urgent institutional response and accountability. The party urged mothers and guardians to remain vigilant and pay attention to warning signs of abuse, stressing that perpetrators are often within the family circle, including fathers, stepfathers, relatives and trusted associates.

The PNP called for child defilement to be treated as a national crisis rather than a private family matter, warning that silence is enabling the destruction of girls' futures. The PNP appealed to key institutions, including the Ghana Police Service, the Domestic Violence and Victim Support Unit (DOVVSU), the National Commission for Civic Education, the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection, religious bodies, schools, traditional leaders and the media to intensify public education and action on child protection. It also urged media organisations to dedicate more platforms to exposing abuse cases, educating the public and highlighting reporting channels and victim support systems. The party stated that a society that fails to protect its girl child risks destroying its own future, adding that perpetrators must be exposed and prosecuted regardless of their status.