The Acting Oti Regional Director of the Department of Children, Ella Faith Ashong, has urged children to break the culture of silence surrounding child abuse and report violations without fear.
She also appealed to communities in the Oti Region and across the country to create safe environments where children can speak out about abuse and receive the necessary protection and support.
Speaking at Dambai on the theme, “Amplifying Children’s Voices on Abuse in Ghana: Promoting Child Protection, Participation and Advocacy — Breaking the Silence: Empowering Ghanaian Children to Report Local Abuse Without Fear,” Ms Ashong explained that child abuse goes beyond visible physical injuries.
She said abuse includes any act or failure to act by parents, guardians or caregivers that results in death, serious physical or emotional harm, sexual abuse or exploitation.
According to her, child abuse takes four major forms: physical abuse, neglect—including physical, emotional, medical and educational neglect—sexual abuse, and emotional abuse.
Ms Ashong noted that such violations often occur in places expected to be safe, including homes, schools and communities, but remain hidden due to persistent underreporting.
She attributed the silence to fear of stigma, threats from perpetrators, cultural tolerance for violent discipline, weak or inaccessible reporting systems, and limited awareness of children’s rights.
She also cautioned that some adults may harm children without fully understanding the long-term consequences of their actions.
Addressing the belief captured in the phrase “FIE ASEM, ENKO ABONTEN” (family issues must not go outside), she warned that efforts to protect the image of families have too often shielded perpetrators instead of victims.
“No tradition,” she stressed, “should override a child’s right to safety and justice.”
Ms Ashong further called for child protection interventions that meaningfully involve children, noting that many programmes are designed without consulting them, creating gaps that fail to reflect their lived experiences.
She urged parents, teachers, community and religious leaders, the media and other child protection stakeholders to work together to build environments where children can report abuse without fear and be taken seriously.
In interviews with Adom News, some teenage girls and boys echoed these concerns and appealed for stronger protection for vulnerable children, particularly the girl child.
They said greater community courage was needed to listen to children, act on their concerns and help break the silence surrounding child abuse.
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