Gender Ministry To Investigate Young Detainees At BNI

Deputy Minister for Gender, Children and Social protection, Rachel Florence Appoh has stated the commitment of her ministry to conduct investigations into an alleged arrest of young boys between the ages of 15 and 16 by the Bureau of National Investigations (BNI). According to a former constituency Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Micheal Omari Wadie, during his stay at the bureau, he came across juveniles between the ages of 15 and 16 being detained. Upon interrogation, he realised that some of them were students yet to write their Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) in June this year. One can recall that Omari Wadie was arrested by officials of the bureau for his alleged involvement in the posting of sordid pictures of President John Dramani Mahama. In an interview on Boiling Point, a programme on Oman FM after his release, Omari Wadie disclosed that the boys were arrested due to their alleged involvement in the shooting incident that occurred in Kumasi in the Ashanti Region. He is of the view that it is wrong for the boys to be kept in such a place especially for those who have to learn for their upcoming exams. Speaking on the issue on Peace FM�s Midday news, Rachel said even though they have not received an official notification concerning the issue, they will investigate and get to the root of it. �My ministry is committed to fighting for the right of children and so we will immediately investigate the issue and ensure that the right thing is done,� she pointed out. She reiterated that her ministry was formulating a child protection policy to provide proper safety and security for children and so if they confirm that the story is true, they will ensure that the rights of the children are respected.