The Member of Parliament for New Juaben South Michael Okyere Baafi is disturbed about increasing rate of child prostitution menace in Koforidua.
Speaking during 31st Night Service at Methodist Church when he joined the Omanhene of New Juaben, Daasebre Kwaku Boateng III to fellowship with the church, the MP stated that child prostitution menace has increased significantly in Koforidua by 40%.
Some of the girls are recruited into the illicit act by some adult pimps to exploit them for financial gains.
The girls ages between 12 and 19 years are mostly spotted around popular drinking spots ,pubs, night clubs, and around Legion Hall area in the evenings wearing seductive dresses soliciting sex for money.
“Child prostitution cases are on the rise in Koforidua . Briefing that we have from the security agencies is that it has increased by 40%.Children between ages of 12 upwards are engaging in prostitution. You must help us fight this canker.Some irresponsible adults have established brothels recruiting these young girls and sexually exploiting them” the worried MP stated.
The MP cautioned parents to be more responsible and take good care of their children. He also asked parents to take advantage of the various interventions by government including Free SHS to enroll their children in school or get some jobs for them.
Omanhene of New Juaben Daasebre Kwaku Boateng III is hopeful his plans to establish rural bank and Girls school would help stimulate the local economy and create job opportunities whilst the girls school will promote girl child education to address some of these challenges.
Meanwhile, the Eastern Regional Child Protection Committee (ECPC) is similarly worry over children of school going age indulging in prostitution in Koforidua and its environs.
The Committee has, therefore, called on the district assemblies to enforce the by-laws on the protection of children.
A senior Journalist in Koforidua Obed Kojo Ansah’s investigation published in June 2022 exposed some persons behind the growing commercial sex activities in Koforidua involving minors some of whom ar Ghanaians.
Some sex trafficking cartels mostly Ghanaians and Nigerians were uncovered for trafficking young girls from Nigeria to Koforidua under the pretense of employing them in the hospitality industry but abducted and forced them into prostitution upon arrival.
The victims were confined in Bula spot and Little Ben brothels where they were sexually exploited by the traffickers.
Following the investigation, the New Juaben South Municipal Security Council raided the two brothels but the suspects and victims escaped.
Owners of the facilities were however left of the hook.
Two of the victims including a 20 year old girl thrown out by the traffickers after being in impregnated and infected with HIV were repatriated to Nigeria by the Nigeria High Commission in Ghana and other international partners.
Source :Mybrytnewsroom.com/Obed Ansah
