The Member of Parliament for Kwabre East, Akwasi Gyamfi Onyinah Acheampong, has backed calls for the establishment of a national sexual offenders register, warning that stigma and fear of victimisation continue to keep many sexual abuse cases from being reported.
Contributing to a statement by NDC MP for Klottey-Korle, Dr Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings, on the floor of Parliament, Mr Onyinah Acheampong said official figures did not reflect the full scale of sexual abuse in the country.
“The ones that are hidden is the mass that is not shown. Maybe it’s because of victimization or the stigma that is attached to it,” he said.
He expressed concern over reports of sexual offences involving people entrusted with the care and protection of young girls, describing the situation as deeply worrying.
Drawing on his experience as a father, the Kwabre East MP said the safety of children required urgent attention and a stronger national response.
“Mr Speaker, I have female children. Sometimes I shatter to think what I would do to someone who attempts or even goes near to molest any of my female children,” he told Parliament.
Mr Onyinah Acheampong argued that Parliament and other relevant institutions must prioritise prevention rather than wait for abuse to occur before taking action.
“It is very important that as Members of Parliament we make sure that we prevent rather than attempt to solve or react. And so proactiveness is very important,” he said.
He said a national sexual offenders register could help authorities monitor convicted offenders, reduce the risk of repeat offences and strengthen efforts to protect children and other vulnerable people.
“If we have a sexual register then we are able to keep tabs on people who are prone to do these acts. We are able to monitor their movements and their activities,” he added.
He further argued that the register could support police investigations and provide useful information about offenders to assist law enforcement agencies in future cases.
The MP warned that failure to take decisive preventive measures could expose the next generation to further harm as sexual abuse concerns continue to grow.
