Police in the Ahafo Region have arrested the parents of a five-year-old girl who died following an alleged assault during a domestic dispute between the couple at Mim in the Asunafo North Municipality.
The tragic incident reportedly occurred on the evening of Sunday, November 8, 2026. The deceased, who was a pupil of Mim M/A Basic School, allegedly sustained injuries during the confrontation between her parents.
Following the incident, police arrested both parents for questioning. However, the mother was subsequently allowed to return home after initial interrogation, while the father remains in police custody assisting investigators with their inquiries.
Authorities have not announced any charges against the suspects as investigations continue.
In an account of the incident, the child’s mother told reporters on Monday morning that she rushed the injured girl to a private health facility in Mim for medical attention. She, however, alleged that the hospital staff refused to provide treatment.
The five-year-old reportedly died shortly afterwards.
Some residents in the community have also claimed that disagreements and frequent quarrels between the couple were common, raising concerns about the circumstances surrounding the child’s death.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection has expressed deep sadness over the incident, describing the death as shocking and unacceptable.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, November 10, the ministry condemned the alleged killing and stressed that children must be protected from violence, particularly within their own homes.
The ministry emphasised that domestic violence should not be treated as a private family issue, warning that children must never become victims or be drawn into disagreements between adults.
It also praised the Ahafo Regional Police Command for its response and called for a comprehensive, transparent and timely investigation to establish the facts surrounding the incident.
The ministry further stated that anyone found responsible for the child’s death must be prosecuted in accordance with the Children’s Act, the Domestic Violence Act and the Criminal Offences Act.
Beyond the alleged assault, the ministry has raised concerns about claims that a health facility in Mim refused to attend to the injured child when she was brought in for emergency treatment.
According to the ministry, a separate investigation has been initiated into the alleged refusal of medical care, with relevant health regulatory authorities urged to examine the matter.
It stressed that every child experiencing a medical emergency deserves prompt and appropriate treatment, adding that any failure to provide such care must be thoroughly investigated and addressed.
As part of efforts to protect other vulnerable children in the household, social welfare officers are also being deployed to work alongside the police and the Domestic Violence and Victim Support Unit (DOVVSU).
Their assignment will include assessing the welfare and safety of the other children in the family and ensuring that appropriate protection measures are put in place.
The incident has renewed concerns about child protection and domestic violence in Ghana, particularly the need for stronger interventions to prevent children from suffering the consequences of conflicts within their homes.