The Ministry of Gender Children and Social Protection has said it is awaiting the outcome of investigations on the story of a 23-year-old widow who is to be given 100 lashes for violating her widowhood rites.
The sector Minister Nana Oye Lithur said this at a press conference in Accra during the commemoration of the 40th anniversary of the ministry.
The Deputy Chief Imam of Akyem Tafo in the Eastern Region, Mallam Madhi Ahmed endorsed the flogging of the woman following her action.
Ramatu Alhassah is facing the rage of Muslim clerics in her community for getting pregnant while observing Iddah–a widowhood rite that requires that she abstain from sex.
Nana Oye Lithur said she is waiting for the outcome of the investigation because she had “heard different versions of the story.”
She added that “I’ve heard the recording of the Deputy Imam on a radio station; I also heard on a TV station that the police in the area was saying that the Imam has denied it and that they are investigating.”
The Deputy Chief Imam at Akyem Tafo Mallam Madhi Ahmed defended why Ramatu needs to be punished, citing Islamic laws as the reason for this action.
Reacting to all of the development, Nana Oye Lithur explained that until they had the full outcome of the investigation they can do little to help in this situation.
She finally urged the police to expedite the investigation processes, so the ministry will be informed as to what steps to take.
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By: Magdalene Teiko Larnyoh/citifmonline.com/Ghana