Gender Ministry reports ‘forced child smoking’ video to the Police Department

The Ministry of Gender, Children, and Social Protection (MoGCSP) has referred a disturbing video circulating on social media, depicting a group of men coercing a young child into smoking a cigarette, to the Criminal Investigations Department of the Ghana Police Service for prompt action.

In a press statement issued on Friday, November 21, the Ministry characterized the incident as a blatant case of child endangerment, emphasizing that exposing children to noxious substances constitutes both abuse and a breach of the child’s rights and dignity. Such behavior is punishable under the law.

According to the Ministry, this act contravenes the Children’s Act, 1998 (Act 560), which mandates the protection of every child from physical, psychological, and moral harm. It also undermines the objectives of the Early Childhood Care and Development Policy, which promotes the holistic development of children in safe and nurturing environments.

The Ministry categorically condemned the behavior and urged parents, guardians, caregivers, and the public to fulfill their collective responsibility in protecting children and young people from harm.

It also called on the police to expedite actions to arrest and prosecute the perpetrators.

Moreover, the Ministry appealed to all stakeholders, including families, traditional authorities, religious leaders, and civil society organizations, to intensify efforts to prevent violence and safeguard vulnerable groups, particularly children and women, as the world approaches the culmination of the 16 Days of Activism against Sexual and Gender-Based Violence.

“We must all bear in mind that protecting the rights and dignity of children is a collective responsibility,” the Ministry emphasized.