Gender Ministry condemns death of five-year-old allegedly assaulted during parents’ dispute

The Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection has condemned the death of a five-year-old pupil of Mim M/A Basic School in the Asunafo North Municipality of the Ahafo Region, following an alleged assault during a disagreement between her parents. The Ministry, in a statement issued on Tuesday, November 10, 2026, said it received news of the child’s death with shock and sorrow.

According to reports cited by the Ministry, the disagreement between the parents escalated into violence, during which the child was allegedly assaulted and fell heavily to the ground. She died shortly afterwards, despite efforts to seek medical attention. “No child should lose their life in a place they ought to be safe,” the Ministry said as it extended condolences to the bereaved family, the school community and residents of Mim.

The Ministry said violence against children, particularly within the home, must not be treated as a private family matter. “Violence in the home is not a private matter and children must never be used as instruments or victims in disputes between adults,” the statement said. It stressed that children must be protected from all forms of abuse, regardless of the circumstances surrounding disputes between adults.

The Ghana Police Service has commenced investigations into the incident, with a suspect in custody assisting with inquiries, according to the Ministry. It commended the Ahafo Regional Police Command for its response and called for a thorough, transparent and speedy investigation. The Ministry said anyone found culpable should be dealt with in accordance with the law, including the Children’s Act, 1998 (Act 560), the Domestic Violence Act, 2007 (Act 732), and the Criminal Offences Act, 1960 (Act 29).

The Ministry also acknowledged allegations that a health facility in Mim declined to attend to the child. It said a separate investigation had been opened into the matter and urged the relevant health regulatory authorities to examine the circumstances. “Every child in a medical emergency is entitled to immediate, life-saving care and any lapse must be addressed,” the statement said.

Social welfare officers to support family The Ministry said the Department of Social Welfare and the Domestic Violence Secretariat were working with the Police and the Domestic Violence and Victim Support Unit (DOVVSU) to follow the case. Social welfare officers are also being deployed to the Asunafo North Municipality to provide psychosocial support to the family and assess the safety and well-being of any other children in the household.

The Ministry said it would work with the Municipal Assembly, the Ghana Education Service and community leaders in Mim to provide counselling su