A 40-year-old man has been remanded in prison custody in Yendi, Ghana, on suspicion of defiling and infecting a 14-year-old girl with HIV and tuberculosis.
The victim, who has not been named, was allegedly assaulted by the suspect, Alhassan Yakubu Kamgbala, in January 2023. Kamgbala is a contractor who was working on the roads in the Gushegu town.
The victim’s father, Awuni Tia, said his daughter contracted both tuberculosis and HIV as a result of the assault. He also said that Kamgbala had threatened the girl not to tell anyone what had happened, or she would die.
The victim’s family took her to the hospital after they noticed her deteriorating health. Doctors ran several tests, but they were unable to find the cause of her illness.
Eventually, the family learned that the girl had been defiled by Kamgbala. They reported the matter to the police, who arrested and later bailed him out.
Kamgaba is due to reappear in court on Thursday, August 24, 2023.
The case has sparked outrage in Ghana, with many people calling for Kamgbala to be severely punished. The victim’s father has also called for justice for his daughter.
“We want justice for our daughter,” he said. “She has been through a lot.”
The case is a reminder of the dangers that young girls face in Ghana. It is also a reminder of the importance of reporting sexual assault to the police.
If you or someone you know has been the victim of sexual assault, please reach out for help. There are many resources available, including the Ghana Police Service, the National Sexual Assault Hotline, and the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN).
