Police in Ghana have arrested the parents of a five-year-old girl who died after an alleged assault during a quarrel between them in Mim, in the Ahafo Region.
The incident took place on the evening of Sunday, November 8, in the Asunafo North Municipality, as3News reported when the child died. She was a pupil at Mim M/A Basic School.
Both parents were taken into police custody after the incident. The mother was later allowed to return home following preliminary questioning, while the father remains in custody assisting officers with their inquiries. Police have not announced any charges.
The girl’s mother told reporters on Monday morning that she had rushed her daughter to a private hospital in Mim. She alleged that staff at the facility refused to attend to them.
The child died shortly afterwards, according to Crime Check News. Residents said arguments between the couple had occurred frequently.
The Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection condemned the death in a statement issued on Tuesday, November 10, saying it was shocked and saddened by the news.
“No child should lose their life in a place they ought to be safe,” the ministry said.
It added: “Violence in the home is not a private matter and children must never be used as instruments or victims in disputes between adults.”
The ministry praised the Ahafo Regional Police Command and called for the investigation to be full, transparent and conducted without delay.
It said anyone found responsible should be prosecuted under the Children’s Act, the Domestic Violence Act and the Criminal Offences Act.
The ministry has previously spoken out against the mistreatment of children in the home, including the case of a six-year-old girl who was punished for wetting the bed.
It also addressed the allegation that a health facility in Mim refused to treat the child. The ministry said a separate investigation had been opened and called on health regulators to examine the circumstances surrounding the claim.
“Every child in a medical emergency is entitled to immediate, life-saving care and any lapse must be addressed,” it said.
Social welfare officers are being deployed to work with the Domestic Violence and Victim Support Unit and the police. Their role will include assessing the welfare of the other children living in the home.
