Hon. Zuwera Mohammed Ibrahimah, Member of Parliament for Salaga South, addressed the issue of child abuse in Ghana during a recent parliamentary session, emphasizing the urgent need for strengthened protection measures. Hon. Ibrahimah began by expressing gratitude to the organizers of a recent Inter-Parliamentary Union on Human Rights workshop held in Accra.
Speaking on the floor of parliament, Hon. Zuwera stated that despite Ghana’s existing legislative framework, including the Children’s Act 1998 (Act 560) and the Domestic Violence Act 2007 (Act 732), child abuse continues to be a significant challenge. She cited the 2023 Ghana Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey, which revealed that approximately 22% of children aged 1-14 experience violent discipline. She noted that reports of physical, emotional, and sexual abuse remain alarmingly frequent.
According to the MP, these violations contravene the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and jeopardize the physical, psychological, and social development of children. Hon. Ibrahimah emphasized her concern for vulnerable groups, including children, persons with disabilities, and marginalized communities. Hon. Zuwera Ibrahimah outlined several measures to address child abuse, calling for their immediate implementation.
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These measures included:
• Strengthening Legal Frameworks and Enforcement: She called for bolstering the capacity of law enforcement and judicial systems to effectively investigate, prosecute, and adjudicate child abuse cases, including providing adequate resources and specialized training.
• Promoting Awareness and Education: She urged the launch of a nationwide campaign to educate communities on the rights of children and vulnerable groups, fostering a culture of zero tolerance for abuse and encouraging reporting of violations.
• Supporting Victims and Survivors: Hon. Ibrahimah advocated for expanding psychosocial support, rehabilitation programs, and safe shelters for victims to aid in recovery and reintegration into society.
• Fostering Multi-Sectoral Collaboration: She called for encouraging partnerships among government, civil society, traditional authorities, and international organizations to build a comprehensive, sustainable child protection ecosystem.
Reflecting On Past Incidents
During the Inter-Parliamentary Union on Human Rights workshop on June 25, 2025, a disturbing video surfaced on social media. The video showed a 12-year-old boy in a Ghanaian community tied to a roof by ropes and subjected to a brutal beating by three adults. Hon. Ibrahimah stated that she took immediate action upon learning of this incident, mobilizing her network to address the situation.
In her conclusion, Hon. Ibrahimah emphasized that protecting children and vulnerable groups is both a legal obligation and a moral imperative, reflecting a society’s values and commitment to human dignity. She stated that as parliamentarians, they have the power to enact transformative policies to ensure that every child and vulnerable individual lives in an environment free from abuse and discrimination. Hon. Zuwera Ibrahimah urged a reaffirmation of the collective resolve to champion human rights, protect the vulnerable, and build a future where every child in Ghana and beyond can live in safety and dignity.
About Zuwera Mohammed Ibrahimah
Zuwera Mohammed Ibrahimah (born 27 July 1970) is a Ghanaian politician. She is a member of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and the Member of Parliament for the Salaga South Constituency in the Savannah Region of Ghana. She was the first woman in the Salaga area to be elected as a member of parliament in the fourth republic. In August 2019, she won the National Democratic Congress primaries for Salaga South Constituency, securing her position as the party’s candidate in the December 2020 Elections.
Ibrahimah won the 2020 parliamentary elections for Salaga South Constituency. She won after polling 20,525 votes representing 49.5% against her rival for the seat, Salifu Adam Braimah, the incumbent Member of Parliament (MP) from the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and also the Savannah Regional Minister, received 19,086 votes, representing 45.90% in the 2020 parliamentary election.
Honorable Ibrahimah was sworn in as the MP representing the Salaga South Constituency in the 8th Parliament of the 4th Republic of Ghana on January 7, 2021. As of that date, she was one of only 40 women and the only MP from the Savannah Region representing their respective constituencies in the 8th Parliament.
Zuwera Mohammed remains an MP in the 9th Parliament, having retained her seat in the 2024 parliamentary election. She currently serves as the Vice Chairperson of the Gender, Children and Social Welfare Committee of Parliament. She also serves as a member on the Foreign Affairs Committee and the Sanitation and Water Resources Committee. In addition, she holds the position of Deputy Ranking Member of the Office of Profit in parliament.
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