Young Peoples and Human Rights Ghana

A 75-YEAR-OLD farmer, Kweku Adjei, who resides at Humakyem, a village near Obuasi in the Ashanti region, yesterday broke down in tears after an Obuasi Circuit Court sentenced him to 10 years’ imprisonment for defiling a six-year-old girl in the farming community. Harbouring the intention to engage in the unlawfully lewd act, the convict reportedly called the girl into his house and treated her with a good meal, after which he had sexual intercourse with the youngster. “My lord, I’ve committed a great sin; please forgive me,” the paedophile pleaded with the court presided over by Gilbert Ayisi Addo to deal leniently with him, amidst tears. He pleaded guilty to the charge of defilement, contrary to section 101 of the Criminal Act of 29/60, and was sentenced accordingly after the judge had taken into consideration his age. Before passing the sentence, Judge Ayisi Addo asked the accused, “But you why, can’t this girl pass for your great granddaughter?” as he shook his head in disbelief. Th...

The Executive Secretary of the Constitution Review Commission, Dr. Raymond Atuguba, has asserted that corruption in the judiciary was not a perception but a reality, adding that no one can convince him that some judges were not corrupt. “I have two personal experiences; I stayed in a house close to a judge’s house and I saw what went on. There were instances where people mistakenly brought packages to our house ostensibly to give to the judge. We will listen to the whole story until they mention the case number, then we will tell them please you are in the wrong house. “I stayed also with an upright judge and I saw how people attempted to bribe him but he always turned them down,” he explained. Dr Raymond Atuguba was sharing a personal experience of judicial corruption at a roundtable discussion on the judiciary and Ghana’s justice system in Accra, organized by the National Commission for Civic Education as part of its annual constitution week. It was on the theme: "The State of G...

I know that I am going to get in trouble for writing this piece. I truly do! Some would call for my head after reading it. Others would accuse me of blasphemy. I do understand! I would be a fool not to. Certain topics, however, cannot be discussed in private. They're better left discussed in public. I believe that this particular topic calls for public discussion. Hence, my decision to write it. It's my hope and belief that we all benefit from it. At least, somehow. So, let's begin, shall we? A couple of years ago, Ms Oprah Winfrey did a show on down-low sisters. I am sure that most of you are familiar with the expression. Down-low has a broader meaning! It could mean keeping things cemented. It could also mean acting in a hush. In a relationship, down-low simply means; a heterosexual who practices homosexuality in secret. It could also mean the opposite, of course! In this case, it would be a homosexual doing the opposite in secret. Anyway, back to the show in question. Th...

Credible Information available to Peacefmonline.com indicates that notorious armed robber Ataa Ayi, whose full name is Raymond Aryee Aryeetey, currently serving over 100 years in prison for several robbery cases has joined the Church of Pentecost Assembly in the Nsawam Medium Prison. Ataa Ayi who is very popular among the inmates is currently a staunched member of the Church. He attends church every Sunday and partakes in other Christian activities. Ataa Ayi, known to be a ruthless armed robber is presently very calm and totally changed. Ataa who has grown lean spotted in white T-shirt and khaki pants, was very reluctant to show his face when gospel musician Ohemaa Mercy called him to come on stage when performance in the prison yard as part of her official visit to the Nsawam Prison on Friday Friday April 15, 2011. Ataa Ayi who seemed like a shy person, initially failed to respond to Ohemaa’s call until his inmates and some Prison officers convinced him go on stage. When he finally ap...