The Minister of Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation, Dr Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings, has called for the establishment of a national sex offenders register to strengthen child protection and address sexual abuse against children in Ghana.
Speaking in Parliament on Tuesday, November 10, the Korle Klottey Member of Parliament urged the House and relevant state institutions to consider the proposal urgently and take steps to reinforce existing child protection mechanisms.
Dr Agyeman-Rawlings stressed that Ghana’s commitment to protecting children must go beyond passing laws and ratifying international conventions to include practical measures that safeguard vulnerable members of society.
She expressed concern over what she described as a recurring pattern of public outrage following reports of child sexual abuse, noting that such reactions often fade without sustained efforts to address the underlying problem.
“We cannot continue to express outrage whenever another child is violated, only to return to business as usual when the headlines fade. Our children should not have to be extraordinarily brave simply to be safe,” she told Parliament.
According to the Minister, a national sex offenders register would help strengthen accountability and reinforce the country’s position that sexual offences against children would not be tolerated.
She therefore called on Parliament and relevant institutions to initiate discussions on the proposed register while strengthening existing child protection systems.
Dr Agyeman-Rawlings urged lawmakers to demonstrate a renewed commitment to protecting children, stressing the need for accountability and sustained action against sexual abuse.
“Let us restore accountability, let us restore our moral compass and let us send an unequivocal message to the sexual abuse of children that the sexual abuse of children will not be tolerated nor excused in our society,” she added.
