The Human Rights Committee of Parliament has issued a strong condemnation following the circulation of a disturbing video showing a young boy being tortured by two adults in the New Ankasa community near Elubo in Ghana’s Western Region.
In the footage, the boy is seen tied with a nylon rope and suspended from the roof of a building while being savagely beaten. The perpetrators, believed to be family members, accused the boy of theft.
In a statement released on Wednesday, the Chairman of the Committee, Ernest Yaw Anim, described the incident as “a violation of the boy’s fundamental human rights” as guaranteed under Article 28(3) of the 1992 Constitution.
The Article clearly states: “A child shall not be subjected to torture or other cruel, inhumane or degrading treatment or punishment.”
The Committee also cited Ghana’s obligations under international conventions such as the Convention on the Rights of the Child and the Convention against Torture.
Commending the Ghana Police Service for swiftly arresting the suspects, the Committee urged the Attorney General and the Ministry of Justice to ensure a speedy and decisive prosecution.
“There is no justification for this kind of torture against any person, especially a child,” the statement emphasised, calling for the full application of the law.
While acknowledging the importance of moral training for children, the Committee cautioned parents and guardians to respect the rights and dignity of their wards.
“The Human Rights Committee will continue to monitor developments to their logical conclusion,” Hon. Anim assured, reiterating the Committee’s commitment to protecting the rights of vulnerable persons, particularly children, across the country.
