Parents advised against betrothing young daughters

Cape Coast, Dec 1, GNA - A circuit court judge at Cape Coast, Mr. Kwame Ohene Essel, on Monday advised parents against taking gifts from men with the intension of giving their daughters out to them for marriage when they grow.

He said due to this practice some of these "suitors" take advantage to defile "these innocent girls with impunity", on the grounds that they have the support of the girl's parents.

Mr Essel gave the advice, after he had slammed a 15-year prison sentence on a 57-year old farmer, Joseph Kwame Yeboah from Ekumfi-Eyisam near Mankessim, for defilement.

Yeboah pleaded guilty with explanation and told the court that the victim was betrothed to him and that he has been buying clothes for her and has also been giving gifts to her parents.

The court however, refused to accept his explanation saying it was not an excuse for him to defile the 12-year-old class four pupil.

The prosecutor, Chief inspector Augustine Amonoo, had told the court that on October 12, Yeboah sent the victim to buy him cigarettes and when she brought it, he invited her into his room and defiled her.

He said a witness who saw the victim entering Yeboah's room forced his door open and found him sexually abusing the girl.

At the same court, a 32- year old farmer, Kwame Mensah from Aboaboso near Assin Kushea, who defiled a 13-year-old girl, was also sentenced to 15 years in jail.

He had pleaded guilty to the charge.

Chief Inspector Amonoo Mensah said Mensah invited the girl into his room October, defiled her and warned the girl not to disclose it to anybody. The victim fell ill and reported the incident to her uncle.