by ‘Jola Sotubo

A Ghanaian father and mother have been sentenced to spend 6 months in prison after they were found guilty of assault on their son.

Morrison Adenkor and Angelina Adeti were said to have cut the fingertips of their 10-year-old child because he stole meat and coins.

The couple was found guilty of causing harm and were indicted for violating the child’s rights.

According to reports:

However, in delivering her judgement, the court took into account factors, including the nature of the crime, the circumstances of the accused persons and the fact that they were first-time offenders.

Sentencing the accused persons – Morrison Adenkor and Angelina Adeti – the presiding judge, Ms Ellen Vivian Amoah, warned that the court would not sit aloof while the rights of children were trampled upon.

The court found their action repugnant and a gross violation of the 1992 Constitution and all international conventions Ghana has ratified to protect and safeguard the interest of children.

“What type of parents do this kind of thing to their child of 10 years who is supposed to look up to them. Secondly, what has become the norm in our society where adults and society in general cherishes children? What could enter the mind of a father to cut open all the 10 fingers of his son with the tacit consent of the mother?”

“We have to bear in mind that we owe rights and obligations to the most vulnerable members of our society, that is the children”, Ms Amoah said.