The Domestic Violence and Victim Support Unit (DOVVSU) in Ho has begun investigations into the case of a 15-year-old girl who has sought refuge outside her family house after giving birth to the baby of her stepfather.
The teenager has fled her home at Anfoeta-Wadamaxe in the Ho West District of the Volta Region because of a feud between the families of her mother and stepfather even though her mother still lives with her stepfather.
The first-year Junior High School (JHS) student is now living with her 80-year-old maternal grandmother in the community.
The Ho West District Director of Social Welfare, Mr Roland Kumfo told The Mirror on Monday, July 22 this year that the baby was born on April 9, this year.
He said the girl’s stepfather, a farmer, whose name was being withheld to protect the identity of the girl, had admitted impregnating his stepdaughter but refused to cater for the baby and his mother.
Mr Kumfo said the farmer had also refused an invitation from the Department of Social Welfare to discuss the matter and set up an interim arrangement to cater for the young mother and her child.
He said when contacted on the phone, the farmer said he would never come to the office of the department to answer any question.
The farmer had also refused to appear before the Paramount Chief of Anfoeta, Togbe Kwesi Drah VII and his elders who summoned him over his conduct, Mr Kumfo added.
It is an offence in all Ewe communities for a man to have carnal knowledge of any woman related to his wife by blood.
In any such case, hefty fines are imposed on the man and rites are performed to pacify the gods of the land.
