Editorial: Should Men Found Guilty Of Defilement Be Sent To Prison?

Editorial

The Circuit Court at Tokor, Ketu South Municipality, sentenced a father to 10 years in prison. Joseph Ofosu Behome presided over the case. The father, Kofitse Zigah, is 36 years old and an electrician. He impregnated his 15-year-old daughter on two occasions.

Zigah pleaded guilty to defilement and received his sentence. Miss Faustina Elikplim Korwu, the Assembly member for Avoeme West Electoral Area, reported the crime. On May 1, 2025, she took the victim to the Aflao Police.

After the report, police issued a medical form for examination. The Ketu South Municipal Hospital confirmed that the victim was 15 weeks pregnant. This incident highlights a troubling pattern of similar cases in Ghana.

The Chronicle acknowledges that justice has been served in this case. However, we must consider the broader implications of this situation. The family’s poverty raises concerns about who will care for the girl and her unborn child now that their provider is imprisoned.

Ghana has not adequately addressed these issues in the past. In contrast, welfare systems in Europe and America effectively support victims of such crimes. Here, when defilement occurs, authorities focus solely on prosecuting offenders without considering victims' needs.

Most victims come from poor backgrounds and face significant challenges after such trauma. They often lack access to education and resources needed for survival. The state has largely ignored their suffering.

To address this issue, The Chronicle suggests reforms to the Criminal Code. We propose that convicted offenders serve their sentences while also working with local assemblies (MMDAs). They could perform community service like cleaning streets or desilting gutters during their imprisonment.

Wages earned from these jobs should go to the victim and her child. This approach could alleviate some hardships faced by defiled girls and their children since our welfare system is lacking.

Currently, convicts serve long sentences while victims suffer without support. Reforming our laws can provide relief for children born from these crimes and help protect vulnerable mothers in Ghana.