IGP David Asante-Apeatu
The Central Regional police have launched an investigation into the alleged defilement of a four-year-old girl at Assin Addientem in the Assin Fosu District of the region.
DSP Sheilla Kessie Abayie-Buckman, Director in-Charge of Public Affairs Department, said the Inspector General of Police (IGP) had directed the regional command to take over investigation after it was allegedly reported that the chief of the area and the district police command had refused to take action.
The chief of the area, according to information, earlier declared the suspect – identified only as Kwabena – innocent after the gods of the area had been consulted.
The innocent toddler is currently battling for her life at the hospital.
DSP Abayie-Buckman hinted that the investigation would focus firstly on how to save the life of the child, whether police procedures were duly followed and generally ensuring that justice is done.
“A police clinical psychologist who is attached to the Domestic Violence and Victim Support Unit in Accra has been assigned to assist the process,” a statement authored by the police officer indicated.
She has therefore assured the public that any person who is culpable of wrongdoing, including the police officers, would be dealt with according to the law.
Meanwhile, reports gathered indicate that the Central Regional Police Commander had summoned the Divisional Commander, Chief Superintendent Henry Bacho, to explain why they refused to act on the matter when the father of the victim allegedly first reported the case to the law enforcers.
Reports said that the suspect was still walking freely, even though the father of the victim, Isaac Kofi, officially reported the matter to the police.
But a police source claimed that Isaac Kofi, after reporting the case, did not return to the station to lead the police to effect the suspect’s arrest.
The mother of the little girl, Monica Nyarko, reported the case to the village chief who later told her that the said Kwabena had been declared innocent by the gods; therefore, there was nothing he or anyone could do to him.
Meanwhile, the Youth for Human Rights Africa (YoHRA) is demanding full-scale investigation into the alleged concealment of the defilement case by the chief at Assin Addientem.
YoHRA wants a “well collaborated full-scale investigation by the Ghana Police Service and all other government agencies into the matter.”
YoHRA, in a statement issued Wednesday, condemned the act by the traditional rulers and has urged the state to take responsibility.
By Linda Tenyah-Ayettey