In the halls of Ghana’s Parliament, where laws are crafted to safeguard the nation’s future, a deeply troubling incident unfolded during a routine civic education visit. Yakubu Mohammed, the Member of Parliament (MP) for Ahafo Ano South East, singled out a young primary school pupil from her classmates. In front of her peers, he asked for her name, complimented her appearance, and declared, “When you grow up, I will marry you—you are now my wife.” The moment was captured on video and swiftly circulated across the country, sparking widespread outrage.
While Mr. Mohammed later issued an apology, acknowledging the remarks as inappropriate and distressing to the child, her family, and the public, this apology falls far short of addressing the systemic issue at play. An apology, no matter how sincere, is merely a personal acknowledgment of wrongdoing—it does not hold the institution responsible for its role in enabling such behavior. Parliament, as an institution, must do more than offer empty words; it must implement concrete measures to prevent such incidents from recurring.
The Failure of Institutional Accountability
The incident was not an isolated misstep by an individual but a failure of the parliamentary system itself. The child was brought to Parliament under a structured civic education program, where she was placed in direct contact with a sitting lawmaker. Instead of fostering respect and education, the MP used his position of authority to reduce her to an object of a crude joke about marriage. This was not a personal lapse—it was an institutional lapse, one that undermines the very purpose of civic education: to instill values of dignity, respect, and protection for children.
An apology from the MP addresses his public image but does nothing to rectify the harm done to the child. She was not just humiliated by the comment; she was exposed to a message that normalizes the idea of a child being evaluated as a future wife. In a room filled with her classmates, she was made to feel objectified, with no way to defend herself against the authority figure who was supposed to represent her protection.
This is not merely a story about an embarrassing remark—it is a story about how institutions perpetuate harmful norms. Ghana has made significant strides in combating child marriage through public campaigns and legal reforms. Yet, when a lawmaker—someone entrusted with shaping policies to prevent child marriage—makes such a comment inside the very building where those laws are debated, it sends a contradictory message. It reinforces the very ideology that campaigns have been working to dismantle: the idea that a child’s worth is tied to her appearance and marital prospects.
The Broader Implications of Normalizing Harmful Behavior
Critics of the incident have not overreacted; they have recognized the severity of what transpired. A gender activist described the remarks as reflecting a “low moral standard,” demanding that Parliament take direct action against the MP. Similarly, a human rights advocate condemned the comment for reducing the girl to her physical appearance rather than her potential. These reactions are not exaggerated—they are a measured response to an act that sexualizes a child in a space meant to educate and empower her.
The incident raises critical questions about how institutions handle power dynamics, especially when children are involved. Parliament, as a body responsible for upholding the rights of citizens, must ensure that its members do not exploit their positions to perpetuate harm. The child in question was nine years old—a vulnerable age where children are still developing their understanding of boundaries and consent. The fact that this happened in a public, institutional setting only amplifies the gravity of the situation.
What Should Parliament Do Next?
An apology, while necessary, is not sufficient. The institution must take concrete steps to prevent such incidents from happening again. This includes:
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Stricter Vetting and Training for MPs – Parliament should implement mandatory training programs on child protection, gender sensitivity, and ethical conduct for all lawmakers. This would ensure that members are aware of the legal and moral implications of their actions.
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Clear Consequences for Misconduct – If an MP makes inappropriate remarks in a public setting, especially involving minors, there should be clear disciplinary measures, including suspension or even expulsion from Parliament. This would send a strong message that such behavior will not be tolerated.
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Protecting the Child’s Rights – The child involved should be provided with psychological support and counseling to help her process the trauma. Additionally, Parliament should ensure that her family is compensated for the distress caused.
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Public Accountability Measures – Parliament should publicly document and address such incidents to demonstrate its commitment to accountability. This could include publishing reports on how it investigates and resolves misconduct cases.
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Reforming Civic Education Programs – The program that brought the child to Parliament should be reviewed to ensure that interactions with lawmakers are structured in a way that prioritizes the child’s safety and dignity.
Conclusion: A Call for Institutional Reform
The apology from Mr. Mohammed was a necessary first step, but it is not enough. Parliament must recognize that this incident is a symptom of deeper systemic failures—failures in accountability, in training, and in protecting the most vulnerable members of society. Ghana’s commitment to ending child marriage and protecting children’s rights cannot be undermined by the actions of its representatives. The institution must rise to the occasion, not just with words, but with meaningful, lasting change.
The child involved deserves more than an apology—she deserves an institution that actively works to prevent such harm from ever happening again. Until Parliament takes bold steps to address these failures, the cycle of normalization of harmful behavior will continue. The time for action is now.
