Civil Society responds to parliamentarian’s statement on 13-year-old girl gang-defiled in Madina: warning against misinformation

 

The Human Rights Reporters Ghana (HRRG) and the Justice Revived Foundation (JRF) have issued a joint statement addressing the recent parliamentary address by Hon. Sosu Francis-Xavier concerning the case of an assault perpetrated on a young girl in Madina.

In his speech before the Speaker of Parliament, Hon. Sosu Francis-Xavier provided an update and correction to earlier media reports that described a 13-year-old girl being gang-raped by over 20 men. Instead, the MP clarified that:

• The victim is a 14-year-old girl from Madina who was found to be pregnant by her parents.
• She disclosed that she had engaged in sexual activities with 18 men on different occasions.
• These men are unrelated and did not act together.
• The Madina Divisional Domestic Violence and Victim Support Unit (DOVVSU) confirmed these details.
• Police have obtained statements from both the girl and her parents.
• A police medical report was issued to facilitate her examination, and some suspects have already been arrested, cautioned, and detained.
• Efforts are ongoing to apprehend the remaining suspects.
• Hon. Francis-Xavier has pledged to personally lead a legal team to provide support for the girl, and medical personnel at Pantang Hospital are working to offer immediate medical and psychological aid.

The MP emphasized his ongoing commitment to advocating for children’s welfare, calling for stricter enforcement of child-protection laws and harsher penalties for sexual violence against minors.

He assured the public that he will continue to pursue swift justice, supporting the girl and her family through legal, medical, and counselling avenues.

The Response from HRRG and JRF

While acknowledging Hon. Sosu’s efforts, HRRG and JRF expressed concern that some aspects of his statement relied solely on police reports, which may not fully capture the complexity of the case.

They stressed the importance of corroborating such information through thorough investigations conducted by civil society organizations.

The organizations highlighted that their own investigations into Ama’s case had uncovered a broader picture— involving more than 20 perpetrators, led by Clement Kwame—based on testimonies and evidence they gathered. They warned that focusing only on the police account risks misrepresenting the facts and hindering justice.

The joint statement concluded with a call for collaboration and accountability:

• Recognize and respect the contributions of civil society organizations like HRRG and JRF in advocating for victims.
• Ensure that all communications about sensitive cases are based on verified facts and thorough investigations.
• Continue to advocate for the arrest of all suspects, and for comprehensive legal and psychological support for victims.

Both organizations reaffirm their dedication to working with government agencies, Parliament, and stakeholders to fight for justice for Ama and to protect vulnerable children across Ghana.

Read the full statement here: