ActionAid Ghana has called on key state institutions to take urgent action following the sexual abuse of a 14-year-old primary six pupil in Nyanshegu, a suburb of Tamale in the Northern Region.
The girl, who reportedly became pregnant after repeated abuse, is now facing serious health and psychosocial challenges.
The primary six pupil went missing on February 13, 2026, and returned home two days later.
Following the disclosure to her family, the case was reported to the Domestic Violence and Victim Support Unit (DOVVSU) of the Ghana Police Service.
The alleged perpetrator, identified as Mohammed, was arrested and accused of taking the girl to a private health facility to terminate the pregnancy without parental consent.
Medical assessments indicate that prior attempts to terminate the pregnancy had been made, necessitating further treatment.
ActionAid’s petition was addressed to authorities including the Minister for Gender, Children & Social Protection, Dr Agnes Naa Momo Lartey; the Minister for Education, Haruna Iddrisu; the Inspector General of Police; the Northern Regional Police Commander; the DOVVSU Regional Coordinator; the Office of the Attorney-General and Ministry of Justice, Northern Region; and the Northern Regional Director of Education.
The organisation expressed “profound concern” over the case, stressing that it is a critical test of Ghana’s commitment to protecting minors.
Citing Section 101 of the Criminal and Other Offences Act, 1960 (Act 29), ActionAid reminded authorities that sexual relations with a child under 16 are criminalised regardless of consent, with mandatory prosecution and a prison term of seven to 25 years upon conviction.
The organisation also raised concerns over reports of informal mediation attempts within the community to halt the case.
ActionAid has urged the Ghana Police Service to conduct a swift, transparent, and survivor-sensitive investigation, while calling on the Office of the Attorney-General to provide legal guidance and ensure prosecution of the alleged perpetrator.
The group also demands immediate activation of survivor support services, including medical care, psychosocial counselling, legal assistance, and protective measures through the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection.
It further urged the Ghana Education Service to safeguard the survivor’s right to education through counselling and safe reintegration into school.
The organisation emphasised the need for stronger community-level child protection mechanisms to prevent informal settlements in cases involving minors and reaffirmed its commitment to working with government and civil society to strengthen Ghana’s child protection framework.
