JRF Applauds Swift Action by Law Enforcement Following Arrest of Self-Styled Pastor in Cape Coast

<p><strong>Accra&comma; March 10&comma; GNA<&sol;strong> – The Justice Revived Foundation &lpar;JRF&rpar; has commended the professionalism&comma; prompt response&comma; and coordinated efforts of the Ghana Police Service and the Cyber Security Authority &lpar;CSA&rpar; following the arrest of a pastor in Warraba&comma; Cape Coast&comma; Central Region&comma; for alleged defilement of a minor and the production and possession of child sexual abuse materials&period;<&sol;p>&NewLine;<p>The suspect&comma; identified as 45-year-old Ebenezer Konduah&comma; is reported to be the lead pastor of Mahanaim Christian Centre in Ankaful&comma; Cape Coast&period; According to reports&comma; he operated a Facebook account where he claimed to be a &OpenCurlyDoubleQuote;trained gynaecologist” and an &OpenCurlyDoubleQuote;international marriage counsellor&period;”<&sol;p>&NewLine;<p>In a statement&comma; JRF said the swift action by law enforcement and cyber security authorities demonstrates a strong commitment to protecting children in an era where abuse increasingly manifests through digital platforms&comma; and reinforces that perpetrators will be held accountable regardless of their status or position in society&period;<&sol;p>&NewLine;<p>The foundation particularly praised the intelligence-led collaboration that led to the suspect’s apprehension and the commencement of legal proceedings&period;<&sol;p>&NewLine;<p>&OpenCurlyDoubleQuote;Crimes against children represent some of the gravest violations of human dignity and trust&period; When individuals in positions of spiritual&comma; social&comma; or moral authority exploit vulnerable persons&comma; the harm extends beyond the immediate victim to families&comma; communities&comma; and institutions of faith&period; Such cases must be handled with urgency&comma; professionalism&comma; and a victim-centred approach&comma;” the statement noted&period;<&sol;p>&NewLine;<p>JRF reaffirmed the guarantees provided under the 1992 Constitution of Ghana and the relevant provisions of the Children’s Act&comma; 1998 &lpar;Act 560&rpar;&comma; which uphold the right of every child to safety&comma; dignity&comma; and protection from all forms of abuse&comma; neglect&comma; and exploitation&period;<&sol;p>&NewLine;<p>The foundation urged parents&comma; guardians&comma; schools&comma; religious institutions&comma; and community leaders to remain vigilant&comma; strengthen safeguarding measures&comma; and promptly report suspected cases of abuse to the appropriate authorities&period;<&sol;p>&NewLine;<p>JRF further called for diligent and transparent investigations and prosecution to ensure justice is served&comma; and that survivors receive the necessary protection&comma; care&comma; and support for healing and recovery&period;<&sol;p>&NewLine;<p>The foundation also urged faith-based organisations across the country to strengthen child-protection measures&comma; ensuring that places of worship remain safe environments for children and young people&period;<&sol;p>&NewLine;<p>The statement concluded that JRF remains committed to advocating for the rights and protection of women and children&comma; promoting accountability&comma; and supporting efforts to uphold justice&comma; human dignity&comma; and the safety of vulnerable persons in Ghana&period;<&sol;p>&NewLine;<p>Signed&colon;<br &sol;>&NewLine;Mrs&period; Janice Tiwah Oware&comma; Esq&period;<br &sol;>&NewLine;Founder &amp&semi; Executive Director&comma; Justice Revived Foundation &lpar;JRF&rpar;<&sol;p>&NewLine;

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