The Tema Regional Police Command has cautioned minors, especially boys, against engaging in sex because they would be prosecuted for defilement when arrested.
Chief Inspector Olivia Turkson, Tema Regional Police Public Affairs Officer, pointed out that being a minor did not exonerate an offender from facing the law when caught committing a crime.
Chief Inspector Turkson, who issued the warning in an interview with the Ghana News Agency, stated that it had come to the notice of the Command that some young boys were luring their
female counterparts into having sex with them.
She explained that perpetrators could be imprisoned for not less than seven years and not more than 25 years when found guilty by a court of law for defilement.
She added that the Command was also gathering
intelligence information on some young boys patronizing the services of prostitutes at the Ashaiman Night Market area.
Chief Inspector Turkson indicated that prostitutes, including elderly women, allow boys to have sex with them so long as they can afford the charge.
She warned that the Police would deal with both the prostitutes and those who patronize their services, including the minors, when investigations are completed.
The Tema Police Public Affairs Officer, therefore, advised minors to concentrate on their studies and join social and religious clubs, instead of fantasizing and engaging in sex.
She also called on religious bodies, school authorities and the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE), to formulate programmes to educate the youth on the disadvantages of
engaging in immoral and criminal activities.
Chief Inspector Turkson also called on men to desist from defiling young girls with the excuse of having their consent.
She stated that having sex with a girl less than 16 years with or without her consent is defilement.
Additionally, having sex with a mentally retarded person with her consent is criminal because of her mental state.