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Ghana's government has been urged to as a matter of urgency to enact a law to abolish the corporal punishment of children. The Ghana Media Advocacy Programme, (G-MAP), a child rights NGO, said the practice was affecting the development and wellbeing of children. A statement issued in Accra and signed by Mr Abdul Malik Jeleel, Executive Director of G-MAP, said that, for example, in Northern Ghana, some children had abandoned the classroom and were roaming the streets because of the physical violence they had had to endure. "Recently, in the media, a teacher of Oda Nkwanta Local Authority Primary School, faced a charge of provisional murder at a magistrate's court at Akim Oda. He allegedly administered two stokes of cane on a 14-year-old pupil, Victoria Ampofo, and others, and Anpofo died later on the same day", said a statement. The statement also said G-Map was hopeful that the Minister of Women and Children's Affairs (MOWAC), Ms. Akua Sena Dansua, would be able to lobby for the enactment of the law. The abolition of corporal punishment was not included in the Children's Act (1998), which seeks to protect children from torture, inhuman or degrading treatment and cultural practices which are injurious to their physical and mental wellbeing. The statement said: "children, who suffer torture or corporal punishment, might grow into adulthood with terrible memories. This has grievous consequences for society." The statement suggested that appropriate, safer and effective alternative methods of disciplining children should be adopted. It said "We are also concerned that with the practice of corporal punishment, children are most likely to suffer injuries which might not be reported to the police including psychological consequences". The statement urged the media to intensify the public education of parents, guardians and professionals working with and for children about the harmful effects of corporal or violent forms of discipline and promote positive non-violent forms of discipline and respect for each and every child.
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