By Magdalene Andoh
The Ministry of Gender, Children, and Social Protection (MoGCSP) has condemned a disturbing video circulating on social media showing a group of men forcing a young child to smoke a cigarette. The Ministry described the act as abusive, unlawful, and a blatant violation of the child’s rights and dignity.
In a statement issued by its Public Affairs Unit, the Ministry emphasized that exposing children to harmful substances constitutes child endangerment, a punishable offence under Ghanaian law. The conduct, it noted, contravenes provisions of the Children’s Act, 1998 (Act 560), which mandates the protection of children from physical, psychological, and moral harm.
The Ministry further highlighted that the incident also violates the principles of the Early Childhood Care and Development Policy, which seeks to ensure safe and nurturing environments for children’s growth and well-being.
Describing the video as “disturbing,” the Ministry cautioned parents, guardians, caregivers, and the public to uphold their collective responsibility to protect children from any form of abuse. It strongly condemned actions that endanger children and called for heightened vigilance.
Following the emergence of the video, the Minister for Gender, Children, and Social Protection has referred the matter to the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) of the Ghana Police Service for swift action. The Ministry urged the police to expedite investigations and ensure the arrest and prosecution of the individuals involved.
With the world approaching the final days of the 16 Days of Activism Against Sexual and Gender-Based Violence, the Ministry called on families, traditional and religious leaders, civil society organizations, and all stakeholders to intensify efforts to prevent violence and safeguard vulnerable groups—especially women and children.
The statement stressed that the incident is a stark reminder of the urgent need to protect children from abuse and harmful practices, reiterating that protecting the rights and dignity of children is a shared national responsibility.
