Minister for Gender Visits 8-Year-Old Jalila Abdul Jalil After Alleged Abuse at Boarding School
The Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection, Dr Agnes Naa Momo Lartey, has paid a visit to eight-year-old Jalila Abdul Jalil and her family following reports of alleged abuse at St. Olives Grammar Boarding School in Dodowa.
The visit was intended to express the government’s sympathy and reassure the family of the State’s unwavering commitment to the child’s safety, recovery, and overall well-being.
The headmistress, Veronica Vorsah, is alleged to have immersed Jalila’s legs in a bucket of hot water as treatment for a suspected fungal infection. The condition reportedly worsened after the child was instructed by school authorities to repeatedly wear the same pair of socks.
Addressing the family, Dr Lartey described the incident as “unfortunate” and confirmed that Jalila would receive comprehensive medical, psychosocial, and welfare support from the Ministry.
She added that the Ministry will monitor the case closely until it is fully resolved.
“Anybody who harms a child harms the nation,” the Minister emphasized, adding that “the law will take its course regardless of who is involved.”
As part of the visit, Dr Lartey presented the family with donations including GH¢5,000 in cash, food items, and household supplies to provide immediate relief.
The family expressed gratitude to the Minister for the support and appealed for swift justice in the case.
Dr Lartey also commended Channel One TV and other media outlets for highlighting the matter and similar cases, stressing that “responsible journalism is vital for protecting vulnerable children and ensuring accountability.”
The Minister was accompanied by the Member of Parliament for Okaikwei North, Theresa Lardi Awuni, Head of the Domestic Violence Secretariat, Madam Malonin Asibi, and other officials.
