Authorities of the Department of Social Welfare in the Central Region, have bemoaned the increasing spate of child prostitution in the area especially Cape Coast, the regional capital where the situation is alarming.
The Director of Social Welfare in the Cape Coast Metropolis, Daniel Wallace says the increasing rate of poverty in the fishing communities has led to a situation where children are engaging in prostitution.
He revealed that these prostitutes in their teens are literally offering free sex to clients and in some cases receive as low as GH¢1 in return for each sexual bout
Daniel Wallace’s comment follows an increase in child prostitution in the region which has got the nation talking.
“With high poverty levels, vulnerable households within the coastal fishing areas have resorted to illegalities such as fishing with chemical and light, as well as trafficking as a means of survival”, Mr Wallace told Adom News’ Kafui Justice Sorkpor.
“Some of the boys are even not able to pay the girls. They have sex with the girls on credit and beat them when they demand for the payment. They are hungry and are ready to do anything to survive” he added.
Meanwhile, an anti-child labour and trafficking advocate, Nana Kweigya calls for alternate livelihood for the people in such communities to reduce poverty.
Listen to Daniel Wallace