••
Felicity Nelson, the Deputy Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Tourism Development Company (GTDC), has called on security agencies to strictly prohibit traditional and community leaders from settling rape and sexual abuse cases outside the legal system. Speaking on Joy FM’s current affairs programme, Newsfile, Nelson emphasized that sexual crimes are serious criminal matters that require formal police investigation and prosecution rather than private mediation or local settlements.
The call comes in the wake of recent sexual abuse allegations involving the Obuasi Senior High Technical School. Nelson argued that the common practice of traditional intervention often undermines the judicial process and fails to account for the long-term trauma of the survivors. She noted that when community leaders negotiate settlements for such grave offenses, they often prioritize social harmony or the reputation of the accused over the psychological welfare and rights of the victim.
Nelson urged the public and law enforcement to ensure that all allegations of sexual misconduct are reported directly to the authorities without delay. By strictly enforcing laws against those who attempt to bypass the formal justice system, she believes the state can better protect vulnerable individuals and ensure that perpetrators face appropriate legal consequences. This shift in approach is essential, she noted, for prioritizing the recovery and dignity of sexual abuse survivors across Ghana.