Soldier accused of abusing 7-year-old son

WO1 Abotsi Kwasi Ulisis is known as one of the most respected military officers at the Ho 66 Artillery Regiment in the Volta Region.

At work and in public, he's notable for being friendly and a hard-working officer, but at home, "he is a monster and a drunkard," his wife, Alorbu Sroda, alleged.

According to her, her husband threatened her life on several occasions, and that compelled her to move to her mother's house in October 2021.

"I left his house on October 29, 2021, because he threatened to kill me; he used to torture me when I was pregnant with our last child," she alleged.

She reported the violence to the management of the artillery regiment on several occasions, seeking disciplinary action against her husband, but to no avail.

Apart from reporting to the management of the barracks, she said she never reported her husband to any external law enforcement agencies because she didn't want her marriage to collapse.

According to the World Bank's 2022 report on the abuse of women, a total of 736 million women worldwide, representing 30 percent of all women, have experienced intimate partner violence or non-partner sexual violence.

The Ghana Statistical Service states that about 25 percent of Ghanaian women between the ages of 15 and 49 experience intimate partner or sexual violence at least once in their lifetime.

It is not surprising that Sroda, the mother of three children, is among these victims.

She further revealed that her husband extended the abuse to his 7-year-old son.

The wife told the media that on Friday, April 26, 2024, after visiting the hospital in the barracks, she went to her son's school and discovered the extent of his suffering.

"I first saw a mark on his cheek, then on his arms. Quickly, I realized something was wrong. My son told me how his father continued to beat him; indeed, I cried and then took him to my mother," she said.

"He has numerous scars on his stomach, buttocks, thighs, arms, and cheeks from the consistent beatings he receives from his father, a military officer said.

The child now lives in fear and does not want to see his father or his new wife. He alleged that his stepmother also beat him.

The boy was asked why his father always abused him, and he said: "Sometimes, it's because I ask for food before taking my bath in the evening; other times, my home teacher reports me to him for not paying attention during home studies."

Sheila Kubunya, a basic school teacher in Ho who oversees more than 50 pupils, explained that children who do not pay attention during lessons should not be subjected to physical abuse.

"Every child is unique, and it's essential to approach each situation with care, empathy, and patience, adapting strategies based on the child's individual needs. A seven-year-old child's inability to pay attention during class shouldn't result in physical abuse," she said.

Emmanuel Amaglo, in charge of the Police Clinic in Ho, confirmed that the child was physically abused by the father but could not share the medical results due to child protection laws.

He also confirmed receiving numerous reports from the mother about the abuses she faced in her marriage.

"But why abuse the child too? I don't understand the whole thing," he lamented.

DOVVSU and Children's Department intervention:

Sroda reported the case to the Domestic Violence and Victims Support Unit (DOVVSU) of the Volta regional police headquarters for justice.

After a two-day hearing (Thursday, May 2nd, and Friday, May 3rd, 2024), it was ruled that the child should return to his father; however, WO1 was cautioned against his actions toward the child.

The grandmother of the abused child, Mary Afi Tenge, believes the ruling was manipulated and insists the child should remain under maternal care.

"Is it because my in-law is a soldier, hence the fear of punishing him? I do not accept what that woman (the DOVVSU boss) asked my daughter to do," the old lady said.

They later reported the development to the Children's Department in the region; however, the regional director, Iseral Akrobotu, began investigating the case and promised to work with the social welfare desk to ensure the child's safety.

Family calls for justice:

The mother and grandmother of the child are calling on child activists, organizations, and the public to intervene and provide a solution to the situation.

"I want the public to advise me on what to do; is this the best way to treat a child? Is it because he is a military officer? I also have family members who are ahead of him," she said.