Man, 34, Arrested for Allegedly Defiling 11 Children in Upper West

By Abdul Wahid Zaahida

Bail request for a 34-year old man who has been arrested on charges of allegedly defiling a shocking total of 11 children was denied due to the seriousness of the alleged crime and the possibility of backlash attacks from some members of the public.

Eight of the victims, who were between the ages of 8 and 12, were verified to have experienced several sexual penetrations after being examined.

A horrifying and deeply disturbing incident came to light in the Upper West Region of Ghana, where Rashid Ahmed was arrested on charges of allegedly defiling a shocking total of 11 children. This alarming case sent shockwaves through the region and ignited a renewed urgency for child protection measures.

According to the charging sheet, the alleged child molester, Rashid Ahmed, fled the nation in May 2023 and took refuge in Burkina Faso when news of the defilement broke kids in a widely shared social media video.

Following the girls’ complaints, Eliasu Baba Yussif, CEO of the Bahass Foundation in Wa, filed an official complaint on behalf of the alleged victims with the Domestic Violence and Victim Support Unit (DOVVSU) of the Ghana Police Service.

Last week, Rashid Ahmed, a well-known Islamic wedding master of ceremony in Wa, was arrested when he attempted to sneak himself into the area where his family lives. He was arraigned before court.

The defendant, Rashid Ahmed, also known as Anaata, who is facing charges in several cases at the Wa Circuit Court, denied having any sexual contact with the victims.

However, according to Dr. Alhassan Mohammed Mubarik, a medical official at the Wa Municipal Hospital, who was called to appear before the court presided over by Jonathan Avogo, all of the victims had lost their hymens.

Outraged and determined, the community quickly rallied together to support the victims and their families. Local leaders, activists, and concerned citizens have been at the forefront of organizing rallies, awareness campaigns, and fundraising initiatives to ensure that justice is served and that the survivors receive the necessary support.

In the face of the harrowing ordeal, the affected children and their families have been overwhelmed by the support they have received. Local organizations and government agencies are offering counselling, therapy, and other forms of assistance to help the survivors cope with their traumatic experiences.

According to a video posted online and cited by Home radio, Saeed Abdul Shakur, the Upper West Region’s principal state attorney, told the media in Wa that the suspect’s request for bail was denied due to the seriousness of the alleged crime and the possibility of backlash attacks from some members of the public.

“We cannot be sure he will not escape, considering the gravity of the offences and the punishment that will be meted out if he is convicted. We are talking about a minimum of eight years and a maximum of 25 years in each of the counts, if we succeed with the case he might be going in for a long term, so if the court allows him on bail, we might not get him to try,” Shakur explained.

“We also say that it is in his own interest because of the anger, you can gauge the anger in society … if such a person is let loose we might not even get him to try, people might take the law into their own hands, so in order to prevent that situation too, we prayed the court to keep him in custody,” the Principal State Attorney added.

The arrest of Rashid Ahmed in the case of defiling 11 children in the Upper West Region has served as a stark reminder of the urgent need for enhanced child protection measures and increased vigilance. As the investigation progresses, the community and concerned stakeholders are coming together to support the victims and ensure that justice is served.

Afronova Radio remains committed to reporting on this distressing incident and will continue to provide updates on the ongoing efforts to address this deeply troubling case.

The Children’s Act, 1998 (Act 560) provides for the rights of the child and covers issues of parental duties and responsibilities, maintenance, adoption and fosterage; it protects children from exploitative labour and child marriage and stipulates responsibilities for care and protection of children.

Afronona Radio is calling on the general public of the Ghanaian community to not hesitate in reporting cases of domestic violence or suspected child sex abuse to DOVVSU at the hotline 055-1000-900. The Domestic Violence and Victims Support Unit (DOVVSU) of the Ghana Police Service formerly known as Women and Juvenile Unit (WAJU) was established in October 1998 as Specialized Unit within the Ghana Police Service formed in response to the increasing number of reported cases of abuse and violence against women and children. The Unit has police officers trained to work on issues of domestic violence and children’s rights.