Former Upper East Regional Minister, Tangoba Abayage, has expressed deep outrage over the continued failure of authorities to secure justice for two young sisters who were defiled in Bawku.
The case was highlighted in the recent investigative documentary, “Crying for Justice: Two Siblings Defiled, Denied Justice in Bawku,” produced by A1 Radio’s Moses Apiah.
Speaking on A1 Radio, Madam Abayage said she was “disgusted” after following the story, adding that the most troubling aspect was the protection being offered to the alleged perpetrator by some members of the community rather than support for the victims.
“Any serious-minded person would be disgusted by this story. The most disgusting part is that society is protecting the man rather than the girls,” she lamented.
She questioned why, despite decades of advocacy for women’s and children’s rights, progress remains limited.
“It is extremely worrying that in 2025—more than 50 years after we began the fight for the girl child—these things still happen.”
Madam Abayage expressed shock that such an incident would occur in Bawku, a predominantly Muslim community known for its strong moral and religious values.
“I wouldn’t have expected something like this to happen in Bawku, where religion is taken seriously. That’s what is very worrying.”
Responding to claims that the absence of a Criminal Investigations Department (CID) office in Bawku due to security concerns has hindered the arrest of the suspect, she described the explanation as unacceptable.
“That is the weakest, meekest, and weirdest excuse anybody can give. If there were an uprising today, would security agencies refuse to intervene because there is no CID? Definitely not.”
She stressed that nothing justifies allowing a confessed offender accused of defiling a four-year-old and a seven-year-old to remain free.
“Whatever the reasons are, they are not good enough for this man to still be walking scot-free. It is despicable.”
The documentary has underscored long-standing failures in addressing sexual violence against minors in the area, raising urgent questions about community complicity, law enforcement gaps, and the protection of vulnerable children.
Madam Abayage therefore urged all stakeholders—from traditional and religious authorities to political leaders—to act swiftly, stressing that justice delayed is justice denied.
Source: a1radioonline.com|101.1Mhz|Moses Apiah|Bawku
