DCI-GHANA Defence for Children Internation
Authorities of the Department of Social Welfare in the Central Region, have bemoaned the increasing spate of child prostitution in the area especially Cape Coast, the regional capital where the situation is alarming.
Mr Daniel Wallace Akyeampong Cape Coast Metropolitan Director of Social Welfare, revealed that these prostitutes in their teens are literally offering free sex to clients and in some cases receive as low as GH¢1 in return for each sexual bout
“Some of the boys are even not able to pay the girls. They have sex with the girls on credit and beat them when they demand for the payment,” he revealed in an interview.
The situation he observes exposes the young girls to various forms of Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs) but indicated that they appear unperturbed about the repercussions of their actions.
“They are hungry and are ready to do anything to survive,” he explained during the celebration of the World Day against Child Labour.
He mentioned Brofoyedur, Ntsin, Gyeagyemu, Gyeagyeano, Anaafo and Kwaprow, near the University of Cape Coast, as notable areas where this sex trade is booming.
According to him, poverty and the shirking of parental responsibility is to blame for the conduct of these young girls underscoring the urgent need for stakeholders and traditional authorities to work hand-in-hand in order to reverse this negative trend that has caught up with the youth.
“With high poverty levels, vulnerable households within the coastal fishing areas have resorted to illegalities such as fishing with chemicals and light, as well as child trafficking, as a means of survival,” he said.
Source: mynewsgh.com
