The Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection (MoGCSP) has called on the relevant health regulatory authorities to investigate allegations that a health facility at Mim in the Ahafo Region refused to provide medical care to a five-year-old girl who later died following an alleged assault.
The incident occurred on the evening of Sunday, November 8, 2026, at Mim in the Asunafo North Municipality. The deceased was a pupil of Mim M/A Basic School.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, November 10, the Ministry said the child was allegedly assaulted during a violent confrontation between her parents after a disagreement escalated. She reportedly fell heavily to the ground and died shortly after attempts were made to obtain medical attention for her.
The Ministry expressed shock and sadness over the child’s death and extended its condolences to her family, the school community and residents of Mim.
It condemned all forms of violence against children, emphasising that domestic violence should not be treated as a private family matter, particularly when children are caught up in disputes between adults.
“Violence in the home is not a private matter and children must never be used as instruments or victims in disputes between adults,” the Ministry stated.
The Ministry also disclosed that the Ghana Police Service had begun investigating the incident, with a suspect in custody assisting with investigations.
It commended the Ahafo Regional Police Command for its swift response and called for a thorough, transparent and timely investigation to ensure that anyone found responsible is dealt with according to the law.
The Ministry cited the Children’s Act, 1998 (Act 560), the Domestic Violence Act (Act 732) and the Criminal Offences Act, 1960 (Act 29) as among the laws relevant to addressing the matter.
On the alleged refusal by the health facility to attend to the child, MoGCSP said it had taken note of the claims and welcomed a separate investigation into the facility’s handling of the emergency.
It urged the appropriate health regulatory bodies to examine the circumstances and ensure that any failure in the provision of care is addressed.
“Every child in a medical emergency is entitled to immediate, life-saving care and any lapse must be addressed,” the Ministry said.
Reaffirming its position on the protection of children, the Ministry stressed that no child should be subjected to violence or lose their life in circumstances where they ought to be safe.
