The Member of Parliament for Korle Klottey, Dr Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings, has called for the establishment of a National Sex Offenders Register to strengthen child protection and prevent convicted sexual offenders from gaining access to vulnerable people.

Speaking in Parliament on Tuesday, November 10, 2026, Dr Agyeman-Rawlings urged lawmakers and relevant state institutions to urgently consider the proposal and strengthen Ghana’s existing child protection systems.

She said the country’s commitment to protecting children must go beyond passing laws and ratifying international conventions. It must be reflected in practical measures that keep vulnerable people safe.

“We cannot continue to express outrage whenever another child is violated, only to return to business as usual when the headlines fade. Our children should not have to be extraordinarily brave simply to be safe,” she told Parliament.

How the proposed register would work

Dr Agyeman-Rawlings said the proposed register should focus particularly on individuals convicted of sexual offences against children.

She explained that it would serve as a tool for accountability, monitoring and preventing repeat offences.

The register would also allow authorised institutions to conduct background checks on people seeking positions that involve teaching, supervising or caring for children.

According to her, such a system could help prevent convicted offenders from moving between communities and institutions without detection and gaining access to other vulnerable people.

She called for a comprehensive legal framework to guide the establishment and operation of the register.

Calls for mandatory background checks

The MP also urged institutions responsible for children to make background checks mandatory before allowing individuals to work closely with them.

She specifically called on the Ghana Education Service (GES) to strengthen its response to allegations of sexual abuse involving teachers.

Dr Agyeman-Rawlings warned against transferring teachers facing credible allegations of sexual abuse from one school to another, as such transfers could expose more children to potential danger.

She said allegations must be promptly reported, independently investigated and handled through the appropriate disciplinary and criminal justice processes.

Warning against settling sexual abuse cases privately

Dr Agyeman-Rawlings further appealed to religious leaders, traditional authorities and other influential persons to stop intervening in sexual abuse cases to secure the withdrawal of complaints.

She cautioned against treating sexual offences as matters that can be resolved through apologies, family meetings or compensation.

She stressed that forgiveness is a personal and spiritual matter, while accountability is a legal responsibility.

Her call comes amid renewed public concern about child sexual abuse allegations in Ghana, including the case involving the headmaster of Obuasi Senior High Technical School, who has been interdicted pending investigations and has denied the allegations.

Dr Agyeman-Rawlings urged Parliament and state institutions to take sustained action to protect children and ensure that sexual abuse is not tolerated or excused.

Also Read:Man United Close In On Pochettino As Carrick Faces Exit