The Minister for Environment, Science and Technology, Dr. Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings, has called on Parliament to expedite the establishment of a National Sex Offenders Register, warning that the absence of a robust system to monitor convicted sexual offenders continues to leave children and other vulnerable groups at risk.
Making a statement on the floor of Parliament, Dr. Agyeman-Rawlings stressed that Ghana must strengthen its response to sexual offences by ensuring that perpetrators are effectively tracked and held accountable after conviction.
She revealed that the country recorded 1,462 sexual offence cases in 2025, comprising 1,132 cases of defilement, 297 rape cases, 10 attempted defilement cases, 16 attempted rape cases, and seven cases involving carnal knowledge of a female with mental incapacity.
According to the minister, the figures represent only cases reported to the authorities and do not fully capture the scale of the problem, as many victims remain silent due to fear, intimidation, social stigma and pressure from family members.
Dr. Agyeman-Rawlings noted that the continued underreporting of sexual offences highlights the urgent need for stronger institutional measures to deter offenders and protect vulnerable persons.
She argued that a National Sex Offenders Register would serve as an important tool in preventing repeat offences and enhancing public safety, while also supporting law enforcement agencies in monitoring convicted perpetrators.
The minister, however, emphasized that the proposed register must be implemented within a legal framework that safeguards the rights of individuals and complies with data protection laws.
She called for adequate safeguards to ensure that entries on the register are based on lawful convictions and that due process is strictly observed.
Her appeal adds to growing calls for stronger measures to combat sexual and gender-based violence in Ghana, amid concerns over the persistent incidence of abuse and the challenges victims face in seeking justice.
Parliament is expected to consider proposals aimed at strengthening the country’s legal and institutional mechanisms for addressing sexual offences and protecting vulnerable populations.