The Ministry of Gender and Social Protection has said it cannot officially close down schools operating under the Bawjiase Orphanage Home because it is not mandated to do so.
An expose by Anas Aremeyaw Anas revealed that children at the orphanage were being maltreated
Officials at the orphanage in some instances sold supplies donated to the home for profit.
[contextly_sidebar id=”BDJ8eob8zIp2rSFcMFBVD9tD87GwEkEI”]Though the Ministry has been able to transfer about 41 children from the orphanage, no step has been taken to officially close down the school operating under the orphanage.
However speaking on the Citi Breakfast Show, the Deputy Minister of Gender and Social Protection, John Ackon explained that his outfit cannot close down the school because “the Ministry of Gender has no right to close down a regular school”
He was however quick to add that the Police will get to the bottom of the matter and ensure that justice is served.
“The Police are in control, and we must allow the systems to work…The Police have taken over, CID has taken charge and is collaborating with the Ministry of Education ” he noted.
Mr. Ackon also denied reports that the school run by operators of the orphanage had been shut down by the Gender Ministry.
Earlier reports indicated that the school had been temporarily shut down but in a rebuttal Mr. Ackon maintained that the school had not been officially closed down.
“It is not in our statement that we have closed down the school…what we said was that we have made the Attorney General’s department aware , the Police is aware, they have picked the proprietress and her husband and they are further investigating and we will come out after the investigation. “
Mr Akcon also justified the sale of donated items to orphanages by persons who run such homes.
Although many persons view the practice as illegal ,Mr Ackon said the practice is okay once the home is able to account for the sale.
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By: Marian Efe Ansah/citifmonline.com/Ghana
Follow @EfeAnsah