CHRAJ appeals to government to ensure safety in orphanages

Accra, Sept. 2, GNA - The Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ), on Thursday appealed to the Government, Department of Social Welfare and all stakeholders to put in cogent and pragmatic measures to ensure the safety, security and well-being of all children orphanages.

A statement issued in Accra and signed by Mr Justice Emile Francis Short, Commissioner of CHRAJ, said "the Commission expresses its dismay and total shock at the scenes captured on Anas Aremeyaw Anas' undercover investigations at the Osu Children's Home. "

It said the documentary depicts the dehumanizing and degrading treatments being meted out to the inmates of the home and the inmates, who consist of, among others, orphans some of whom are disabled deserve compassion not such wanton neglect and maltreatment.

The statement said "If the documentary represents the true picture of the situation in the home, then it is indeed very disheartening and abhorrent that people who are trusted with the duty to take care of such a vulnerable group in the society would perpetuate such violence on the very people they are paid to protect from such harmful acts.

"If it is true that a home, which survives on the benevolence of well meaning Ghanaians and various philanthropists, and for that matter lacks nothing in terms of food and clothing, could divert what is meant for the kids for their private use and deprive them of the basic necessities of life; food, clothing, health and shelter, then it shows the cruelty and insensitivity of those engaged in these alleged acts."

The statement said the Commission lauds Anas for taking such a bold step by risking his life and expending resources to bring to light some of these shameful acts.

It said the undercover investigation raises some troubling questions about the kind of supervisory role being played by the Social Welfare Department and all concerned institutions on the activities of some of these homes.

The statement said the Commission welcomes the swift call by the Attorney General for a thorough investigation to be conducted into the activities of the Osu Children's Home, so as to ensure that all those found to have mis-conducted themselves face the full rigours of the law.

It also hopes that such an investigation would help disclose the identity of all those implicated in this unfortunate and despicable behaviour and that it would serve as a deterrent to others involved in similar acts.

The statement said whilst admitting the fact that the home is under-staffed and therefore caregivers are sometimes overstretched, CHRAJ believe that this situation is no justification for the treatment the children are being subjected to.

It said "The task of caring for the vulnerable in Ghana should not be left to the care of a few people, but we all, like Anas, have a part to play if we are to secure the future of our dear nation which is firmly rooted in these kids."

The statement said there was the need for swift intervention by the relevant authorities to put a stop to the alleged maltreatment of the children and to make the home a place where the children can be brought up in dignity and be able to realise their full potentials.

It is in this light that the Commission calls on all Ghanaians and kind-hearted philanthropists not to relent in their efforts to continue donating items in cash and in kind towards securing the future of these vulnerable children in the wake of this unfortunate development.