Member of Parliament for Salaga South, Hon. Hajia Zuwera Mohammed Ibrahimah, has issued a passionate call for urgent and comprehensive reforms to tackle child abuse in Ghana following the emergence of a disturbing viral video showing the brutal assault of a 12-year-old boy.
In a formal statement to Parliament on June 24, 2025, the MP condemned the incident, which depicted the child tied with ropes and mercilessly beaten by three adults. The footage, widely circulated on social media, sparked national outrage and prompted swift intervention by the Ghana Police Service. The child has since been rescued and reunited with his family, while two suspects have been arrested.
Speaking on the floor of Parliament, Hon. Zuwera praised the rapid police response but stressed that such cases highlight a deeper, systemic issue. “Protecting children and vulnerable groups is not only a legal obligation but a moral imperative,” she stated. “The incident underscores the urgent need for better enforcement of child protection laws, increased public awareness, and stronger community-level interventions.”
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Referencing data from the 2023 Ghana Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey, she revealed that 22% of Ghanaian children aged 1–14 are subjected to violent discipline. “Despite having robust legislation, such as the Children’s Act (Act 560) and the Domestic Violence Act (Act 732), enforcement remains weak, and many cases go unreported,” she said.
Hon. Zuwera proposed a four-point action plan, including:
- Strengthening legal and institutional frameworks to prosecute abusers;
- National campaigns to educate communities on child rights;
- Providing psychosocial support and safe shelters for victims; and
- Fostering partnerships between government, civil society, and traditional authorities.
She further called on her fellow lawmakers to support reforms that would build a sustainable child protection ecosystem and ensure that no Ghanaian child grows up in fear.
“Let us reaffirm our collective resolve to champion human rights, protect the vulnerable, and build a future where every child in Ghana can live in safety and dignity,” she concluded.
The statement was delivered shortly after Hon. Zuwera returned from an Inter-Parliamentary Union workshop on Human Rights in Accra, where she joined lawmakers and experts in advocating for the protection of marginalized populations.
The viral case has reignited national conversation about child safety and the role of community vigilance in preventing abuse. Parliament is expected to debate proposals for stricter protections in the coming weeks.
