Zanetor calls for national sex offenders register to protect children

The Minister of Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation, Dr Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings, has called for the establishment of a national sex offenders register as part of efforts to strengthen child protection and tackle sexual abuse against children in Ghana.

The Korle Klottey Member of Parliament raised the proposal in Parliament, expressing concern about what she described as a recurring pattern of public outrage whenever cases of child sexual abuse emerge, followed by a return to normalcy without sustained action to address the problem.

She argued that protecting children must go beyond public condemnation of abuse cases and require stronger accountability mechanisms and more effective child protection systems.

“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.

Dr Agyeman-Rawlings said a national sex offenders register could help strengthen accountability and send a clear message that sexual abuse, particularly against children, would not be tolerated.

She urged Parliament and relevant state institutions to urgently consider the proposal and discuss measures required to establish such a register.

“I therefore urge this honourable House and relevant state institutions to urgently consider and discuss the establishment of a national sex offenders register and the strengthening of our child protection systems,” she said.

The proposal forms part of her broader call for stronger institutional responses to sexual abuse and improved safeguards for children.

The Minister further appealed for a renewed commitment to protecting children and ensuring that sexual abuse cases receive sustained attention beyond the initial public reaction.

“Let us restore accountability, let us restore our moral compass and let us send an unequivocal message to the sexual abuse of children that the sexual abuse of children will not be tolerated nor excused in our society,” she added.

Her proposal places the establishment of a national sex offenders register among measures for consideration as Ghana seeks to strengthen its response to child sexual abuse.