Mr. Quarcoo Noah Klenam, popularly known as “Another,” of rhetoric Commission For Human Right and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ), Akatsi South Municipality in the Volta Region, has raised concerns over allegations involving Prophetess Agbeyeye, stating that the alleged action could amount to abduction or child trafficking if established.
Mr. Klenam made the comments during a public education programme aired on Fafaa 100.3 FM as part of the Duamenefa Social Intervention Programme. He was interacting with Mr. Ketaman Emmanuel Evortepe, Executive President of the Duamenefa Foundation, when he addressed the issue and educated listeners on the possible legal implications of taking or keeping a person, particularly a child, without the knowledge or consent of the person’s parents or lawful guardians.
The public education follows allegations that one Prophetess Agbeyeye had been performing certain spiritual practices within Tadzewu-Devego in the Ketu North Municipality of the Volta Region. According to reports, the activities allegedly led to concerns among some community leaders, who considered the practices as an affront to the traditional practices, customs and religious beliefs of the community
The community leaders are said to have engaged the Prophetess and asked her to discontinue the alleged activities and leave the community. Reports indicate that she subsequently left the community but went away with a woman known as Madam Awoenam who had been under her custody.
According to reports, the parents of Awoenam were not aware of the circumstances surrounding the their daughter’s movement or whereabouts. The alleged development reportedly caused concern among members of the community and the family, leading to questions about who had lawful authority over Madam Awoenam and whether her removal was done with the necessary consent.
It was against this background that Mr. Klenam of CHRAJ was invited to educate the public on the subject matter issue and to explain what the law generally considers as abduction and trafficking.
Explaining the meaning of abduction, Mr. Klenam stated that it generally involves a person unlawfully taking, carrying away, or removing another person from lawful care, control, or protection of a parent, guardian, or other person responsible for that individual. Where a child is concerned, the circumstances surrounding the child’s removal, the authority of the person taking the child, and the consent of the parents or lawful guardians are particularly important.
He also explained that child trafficking involves the unlawful recruitment, transportation, transfer, harbouring, or receipt of a child for purposes of exploitation. He noted that exploitation can take different forms, including forced labour, sexual exploitation, domestic servitude, or other forms of abuse.
Mr. Klenam emphasised that spiritual, religious, or traditional considerations should not be used as a basis for depriving a person, particularly a child, of their rights or taking them away from their parents or lawful guardians without proper authority.
He further stated that, based on the allegations being discussed, the actions attributed to the Prophetess, if proven to be true, could be inconsistent with Ghana’s legal and constitutional protections concerning the rights and welfare of individuals.
He therefore advised the family of the person allegedly taken into custody to formally report the matter to the Ghana Police Service. According to him, a formal complaint would enable the police to conduct proper investigations, establish the facts surrounding the incident, determine whether any offence had been committed, and take appropriate steps to locate the persons involved if necessary.
Mr. Klenam also cautioned members of the public against taking the law into their own hands. He encouraged community leaders and families who have concerns about the welfare or whereabouts of a child or vulnerable person to involve the appropriate state institutions so that the matter can be investigated through lawful procedures.
He stressed that public education is important because many people may not understand the difference between legitimate religious or spiritual activities and actions that could potentially infringe on another person’s rights.
The discussion also highlighted the responsibility of parents and guardians to remain vigilant about the welfare and whereabouts of their children and to seek assistance from the appropriate authorities whenever they suspect that a child has been unlawfully taken, kept, moved, or exposed to possible harm.
The allegations involving Prophetess Agbeyeye have not been established as facts by a court, and the relevant authorities would be required to investigate the matter and determine the circumstances surrounding the reported incident.
Mr. Klenam’s intervention, therefore, forms part of a broader call for public awareness, child protection, respect for individual rights, and the use of lawful channels in resolving disputes involving children and vulnerable persons.
By Hutor Dziwornu, Fafaa 100.3 FM, Dzodze