64-year-old Kwame Adjei has been arrested by Oda Divisional Police Command for impregnating his 14-year-old stepdaughter at Ofoase-Ayirebi in the Eastern Region.
He allegedly had multiple sexual intercourse with the stepdaughter whenever the wife was away from the house.
The victim, a Form 3 Junior High School student preparing to write Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) gave birth two weeks ago.
Two other teenagers were also arrested for defiling two siblings aged 12 and 15 years in a room impregnating the latter.
Recent reports indicate that Sexual and Gender-based violence against minors has become pervasive in the Ofoase Ayirebi constituency resulting in high rates of early pregnancy.
The district occupied the top position in the Eastern region in 2021 but dropped to second position in 2022 regarding teenage pregnancy.
Unfortunately, there is no office for Domestic Violence and Victims Supports Unit (DOVVSU) at Ofoase District Police Command.
DOVVSU unit at Oda Divisional Command oversees the Ofoase area, however, has no vehicle to aid its operations.
Executive Director of Ark Development Organization Emmanuel Kwarfo Mintah is worried that DOVVSU is incapacitated by a lack of logistics hence sexual, and Gender-based violence continue to fester in Ofoase Ayirebi with impunity.
“Looking at the situation we have to do something about it so today we planned to arrest some of the guys so we were able to arrest three guys one from Kwaboadi, an elderly man who impregnated a JHS pupil. We’re doing this to deter others from doing that. DOVVSU, they don’t have any logistics to work with. They don’t have a vehicle or motorbike, nothing even materials to work with. It is very difficult for them so it is not encouraging to do this operation, again because they don’t have vehicles we have to use our own car and foot the bills of the victims to come to the police station and all these costs. So, looking at the situation I don’t think they can proceed to deal with the rest of the issues because we have about over 170 issues to address but the means is not there. So, we appeal to the government to resource DOVVSU they are doing a very good job but there is no support or logistics to work with” Mr Kwarfo Minta said.