Via a statement published January 24, the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA-Ghana) have added their voice to growing calls for more efforts to be made by relevant organisations toward expediting the safe return of teenage girls who were kidnapped in Takoradi in the Western Region .
Signed by Sandra Ankobiah, P.R.O of the organization, the statement described as unacceptable, the capture of the young girls, describing it as ” an offense to the conscience of the world,” and a reflection of “the shocking absence of humanity and compassion.”
FIDA-Ghana also stressed its unreserved support of government’s efforts at getting to the bottom of the matter, adding that it will not relent in its “support for action against this threat, as well as offer solutions to ensure changes are made so this does not happen to anyone else in the future.”
The organization further admonished stakeholders to ensure to the medical and psychological restoration of the girls upon their return, adding that the country must not rest until the girls have been returned and the culprits brought to book.
Last year, nearly 10 girls, including Ruth Quayeson and Mantsebea Koranche where reportedly kidnapped in Takoradi, sparking wide outrage at the security situation in the country. One Samuel Wilson Udoterg – a Nigerian — has been linked to the kidnappings.
Read FIDA-Ghana’s full statement below:
INTERNATIONAL FEDERATION OF WOMEN LAWYERS (FIDA-GHANA) STATEMENT ON KIDNAPPING OF GIRLS AND YOUNG WOMEN IN GHANA
The attention of FIDA-Ghana has been turned to the horrifying news of young women being kidnapped in Sekondi-Takoradi in the Western Region.
The abduction of these women is unacceptable; their capture and captivity is an offense to the conscience of the world; and the threat by their abductors to harm the ladies if their families do not pay the demanded ransom reflects the shocking absence of humanity and compassion. This despicable act must be condemned in the strongest terms possible.
FIDA-Ghana whole-heartedly supports the decision by government to deploy aid, personnel, resources, law enforcement and experts to partner with local authorities to find these girls and return them safely to their families. However, our authorities need not only to ensure a security response that enables them to bring those responsible to justice, but also to address the underlying causes of the insurgency. This is crucial to ensure unity, tolerance, and a future of peace and stability for all Ghanaians.
FIDA will continue its support for action against this threat, as well as offer solutions to ensure changes are made so this does not happen to anyone else in the future. We also call on the involved stakeholders to ensure that each girl, upon their return, receives individual attention – from medical treatment to psychosocial support.
Our thoughts and prayers rest with the mothers and fathers, siblings and loved ones, of each girl kidnapped and separated from her family. The attack on this community’s human rights is an affront to the human rights of all men and women across the country.
We must not rest until we have secured the release of these young women and brought them home safe and sound.
Signed
SANDRA ANKOBIAH
P.R.O. FIDA-Ghana