In the heart of Sunyani, voices are rising in pain and purpose as residents speak out against the heartbreaking surge in cases of child abuse and defilement. Many community members say it is time to protect the innocence of children and restore the moral values that once held families together.

During interviews with Sompa FM, residents passionately shared their thoughts, calling for strict punishment for offenders.

Mr. Rauf Mohammed, a resident of Sunyani, expressed deep concern over the increasing rate of child abuse in the community, attributing much of it to poor parental care. According to him, many parents today have become weak in guiding and nurturing their children, leaving them vulnerable to manipulation and abuse by others.

He explained that some parents fail to build emotional connections with their children, making it difficult to notice when something is wrong. As a result, innocent children easily fall victim to men and individuals who take advantage of their innocence, leading to physical, emotional, and even sexual abuse.

He emphasized that parents must rise to their responsibilities—show love, pay attention and create open communication with their children—to prevent such heartbreaking incidents from happening.

In addition, Madam Mariam Peprah also stated that, one major cause of child abuse is the lack of proper parental support, especially from some men who fail to take active roles in raising their children.

This leaves mothers struggling alone with the burden of raising their children. Another key factor mentioned was poverty. Many parents, due to financial hardship, are forced to send their children to live with relatives or strangers, where some end up being abused. Madam Peprah stressed that the current economic challenges in Ghana have made it even more difficult for parents to provide for and protect their children, increasing the risk of neglect and exploitation.

Sompaonline.com/Alice Boateng