Child Protection and Domestic Violence in Ghana

Special Investigative Report: Child Protection and Domestic Violence in Ghana

The tragic case in Ghana involving the death of 13-year-old Celestine Adonteng, allegedly beaten by her father over food highlights the urgent need for stronger child protection enforcement and awareness around domestic violence.

The Incident

On November 20, 2025, police in Kokrobite, Greater Accra, arrested Isaac Adonteng, a 54-year-old mason, for allegedly beating his daughter, Celestine Adonteng (13 years old), to death. 

According to the Accra Regional Police Command, preliminary investigations revealed that the father assaulted her with a cane, a metal pipe, and other objects after accusing her of taking food meant for her younger sibling. Despite the girl sustaining severe injuries, he reportedly failed to seek medical help, leading to her death.

The brutality of the assault and the trivial trigger, food, has shocked the nation, sparking outrage and renewed calls for child protection reforms.

Child Protection Laws in Ghana

Ghana has a legal framework designed to safeguard children:

• Children’s Act, 1998 (Act 560): Guarantees children’s rights to education, health, and protection from abuse, neglect, and exploitative labor.
• Child Protection Policies: Coordinated by the Department of Children, these policies aim to ensure that every child lives free from violence, abuse, and neglect.
• UNICEF Ghana’s Role: UNICEF works with government and local partners to strengthen child protection systems, though challenges remain in coordination and enforcement at district levels.

Despite these laws, enforcement gaps persist. Many cases of child abuse go unreported, and community-level interventions are often weak.

Domestic Violence in Ghana - The Bigger Picture

Domestic violence remains a widespread issue:

• 41.6% of women aged 15–49 in Ghana have experienced intimate partner violence (emotional, physical, or sexual).
• 22.7% reported physical violence, while 11.2% reported sexual violence at least once.
• The Domestic Violence and Victim Support Unit (DOVVSU) of the Ghana Police Service is tasked with handling such cases, but limited resources and cultural stigma hinder effectiveness.

These statistics reveal that violence within households is not isolated but part of a broader societal challenge.

Social Context

This case underscores how poverty and food insecurity can exacerbate tensions within families. While economic hardship may contribute to stress, experts emphasize that no circumstance justifies violence against children. The incident reflects both individual failure and systemic gaps in child protection.

Implications and Call to Action

The death of Celestine Adonteng is more than a criminal case, it is a wake-up call for Ghanaian society. Stronger enforcement of child protection laws, community education on non-violent parenting, and improved social support systems are urgently needed.

Authorities must ensure justice is served, but beyond prosecution, this tragedy should drive policy reforms and grassroots awareness campaigns to prevent similar occurrences. Protecting children must become a collective responsibility, with families, communities, and institutions working together to safeguard the future generation.

In summary: The Kokrobite case is a devastating reminder of the fragility of child safety in Ghana. Despite existing laws, enforcement remains weak, and domestic violence statistics show the scale of the problem. Addressing this requires not only legal action but also cultural change, poverty alleviation, and stronger child protection systems.