Raissa Sambou, an award-winning journalist
The Founder of The Raissa Child Protection Initiative, Raissa Sambou, has called on authorities to show no mercy to individuals, including teachers and guardians, who sexually abuse young girls.
She described such acts as heartless, criminal, and a complete betrayal of the trust society places in adults responsible for protecting children.
Speaking in an interview to mark this year’s International Day of the Girl Child, she said the growing rate of sexual exploitation of girls, especially by those entrusted with their welfare, must not be tolerated.
She emphasised that anyone found guilty of abusing minors should face the full rigour of the law without leniency.
October 11 has been globally set aside to commemorate the International Day of the Girl Child, a day dedicated to promoting girls’ rights, empowering them to reach their full potential, and drawing attention to the challenges they face worldwide.
She said poverty continues to push many young girls into situations they never wished for, making them vulnerable to abuse and exploitation.
She lamented that some headmasters, teachers, and other adults who should protect girls rather take advantage of their innocence and poor backgrounds to sexually exploit them.
According to her, this is unacceptable and must stop immediately.
The child protection advocate urged the public to speak up and report all forms of abuse to the appropriate authorities.
She noted that the safety of girls must never be compromised and called on law enforcement agencies to take swift action against perpetrators.
Addressing the girl child, Ms Sambou encouraged them to take their education seriously and believe that, with determination and perseverance, nothing is impossible.
She advised them to choose their friends wisely, stay disciplined, and report anyone who makes sexual advances towards them.
“It is possible to be young and responsible. Your future is bright; protect it, believe in it, and never let anyone dim your light,” she said.
She concluded with a strong call to action, urging all stakeholders to stand together to end the sexual exploitation of girls. “Speak up. Protect them. Empower them,” she added.
Sambou is a Ghanaian journalist and advocate known for her unwavering commitment to women’s empowerment, child protection, and social justice.
Her work combines investigative storytelling, advocacy, and community engagement, which have earned her both national and international recognition.
She worked for about a decade at the state-owned Ghanaian Times before joining the Ghana Exim Bank, where she currently works, blending her media expertise with advocacy and corporate responsibility. Her experience spans years of impactful journalism focused on giving voice to the voiceless, tackling social injustices, and highlighting development issues affecting women and children.
She is a two-time winner at the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) Awards, where she was honoured as Most Promising Journalist of the Year and also won in the Child Protection category in 2020.
Sambou is also a two-time recipient of the Merck Foundation Media Recognition Awards.
She founded The Raissa Child Protection Initiative, a non-governmental organisation dedicated to protecting vulnerable children, promoting access to healthcare, and fighting all forms of abuse and exploitation.
Through the initiative, she partners with law enforcement, health professionals, and community leaders to raise awareness, educate the public, and push for stronger protection systems for children.
Sambou is also the immediate past chair of the Publicity and Advocacy Committee of the Breast Society of Ghana, where she led initiatives to promote breast health awareness and patient support.
She has also participated in several prestigious fellowships for journalists, including the UNICEF-sponsored Journalists in Social Protection (JISOP) and the New Narratives Air Pollution Fellowship, led by internationally recognised media leader Professor Prue Clarke. These fellowships have deepened her expertise in reporting on social protection, health, and environmental sustainability.
Her award-winning reports under the Merck Foundation highlighted the need for gender equity in education, the fight against female genital mutilation, and greater inclusion of women in leadership and STEM fields.