The state can now prosecute a 17-year-old step mother who allegedly inflicted severe wounds on a two-year-old boy at Afari in the Atwima Nwabiagya Municipality.
This is because the Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) in the Ashanti Regional town, Michael Amoah Awuku (Hon) has paid the GHS 400 bill to secure a medical report meant to assist police in their investigation.
It follows a DailymailGh.com report detailing how state prosecutors were struggling to raise the amount required by doctors at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital in Kumasi – where the victim was referred.
The report by DailymailGh Ashanti Regional Correspondent, Jonathan Ofori, chronicled how the delay of the medical report could jeopardize the quest to seeking justice for the victim.
The victim (Name Withheld) sustained various degrees of injury after an electric heater which was plugged until it reached its boiling point, was used on the body of the victim on Saturday November 23, 2019.
The suspect, 17-year-old Abena Tawia is, however, standing trial at the Nkawie Circuit Court on a provisional charge of causing harm.
Officials at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, however, clarified that the hospital cannot be held for the delay of the report adding that it has been the standard practice for years.
Motivation
Municipal Chief Executive, Michael Amoah Awuku said he was unsettled after his attention was drawn to the development.
This, he said, triggered his outfit to mobilize resources to salvage the situation in the interim.
“I was informed by my social welfare officer and subsequent to that the media had also called…When the boy was brought to me I was shocked and so I caused the arrest of the victim’s father. Relatives of the victim’s father are now taking care of him”, he said.
Mr Awuku who has since joined the campaign to seek justice further added: “We couldn’t have looked on unconcerned but to come to the aid of this young boy who have potentials of becoming a great personality in our country Ghana”.
The suspect is expected to reappear in court today, Thursday, December 5, 2019.
Funding by the state
Medical bills of such victims of child abuse is expected to be borne by the state, with the establishment of the Domestic Violence Support Fund.
This obligation on the state was confirmed by the Supreme Court decision in a suit brought by a legal practitioner, Martin Kpebu.
Human Rights advocates have criticised government of not doing enough to support such victims.
By Jonathan Ofori, Daily Mail GH
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