General News of Sunday, 3 December 2017
Source: Starrfmonline.com
2017-12-03
UN law frowns on sexual exploitation and abuse by military when on peace keeping mission
Ghanaian soldiers have been counseled to remain chaste while on peace keeping since they risk being sacked from the army for doing the contrary.
The Minister of Defence, Mr Dominic Nitiwul, said it is against the rules of the UN for soldiers on peace mission to sexually exploit or abuse citizens they have been engaged to protect.
“So, you have to behave like Catholic Priests when you get there… because once you are arrested it will have a repercussion on you and other members of your battalion,” Nitiwul told soldiers during a one-day visit to the Brong Ahafo region.
He noted that such act bruises the image of the country.
“You cannot have sexual relationship with the people who you are going to help maintain peace, neither can you have sexual relationship between opposite sex,” he stated, adding “In fact, you cannot just lose your rank but you can be sacked from the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) if you indulge in such misbehavior.”
Nitiwul, who is also a Member of Parliament, announced that a Legislative Instrument (L.I) is currently before Parliament, seeking to increase the duration of engagement for soldiers from 25 years to 30 years.
He admonished them to remain disciplined and to protect the territories of the country.
