Interior Minister Muntaka Mohammed-Mubarak has disclosed that Ghana recorded 256 defilement cases in the first quarter of 2026, warning that the official figures do not capture the full extent of the problem because some cases go unreported.
He cited figures showing that approximately 1,600 cases were recorded in 2022, followed by about 1,300 in 2023 and nearly 1,400 in 2024. The figure fell to approximately 1,100 in 2025, while 256 cases were recorded in the first three months of 2026.
According to him, his concern extends beyond the number of reported cases to the lasting psychological and emotional consequences suffered by victims.
Also read: Obuasi SHTS scandal: Police Headquarters takes over sexual abuse probe – Muntaka reveals
Speaking before Parliament’s Public Accounts Committee (PAC) on Tuesday, October 20, 2026, the Minister described defilement as a major source of crime in the country and cautioned against interpreting declining reported cases as evidence that the problem has been adequately addressed.
“I’m looking at it from that angle. I’m not looking at whether the number is going down,” he told the committee, referring to the trauma girls endure following sexual abuse.
The Minister warned that the reported figures excluded cases that were never brought to the attention of the authorities, raising concerns about the actual scale of defilement in the country.
He stressed that some cases are suppressed at the community level, police stations or regional offices, preventing them from reaching senior officers and being reflected in official statistics.
The government, he said, recognises the need for a coordinated response involving the security agencies and the Ministries of Education and Gender to address sexual abuse in educational institutions.
He disclosed that work has been ongoing since June to improve collaboration among the relevant institutions, noting that agencies working independently could undermine efforts to address the problem.
One of the measures being pursued is the deployment of the National Crime Biometric Information System (NCABIS), which is intended to improve the recording and monitoring of criminal cases.
Mr. Muntaka said the system is being deployed at 751 locations, compared with approximately 600 police stations across the country.
He explained that the system would allow crimes to be recorded when they occur and enable senior police officials, including the Inspector-General of Police, to monitor reported cases.
It is also intended to provide members of the public with a way to confirm that their complaints have been formally recorded by the police, making it more difficult for reported cases to be withdrawn or concealed without scrutiny.
Mr Muntaka said the government is pursuing the system as part of efforts to address weaknesses in crime reporting and improve accountability within the law enforcement system.
The Minister’s revelations followed complaints by the Chairperson of the Committee, Abena Osei Asare, about the allegations of sexual abuse involving female students at Obuasi Senior High Technical School and the seeming lack of action against the perpetrator.
Addressing that specific case, he said the matter was brought to his attention on September 7 and that he had directed its transfer from the regional level to Police Headquarters for investigation.
He confirmed that the suspect had been arrested and his statement taken, while investigators are pursuing DNA evidence in accordance with the law.
Mr Muntaka also stressed the importance of supporting victims beyond the investigation, saying the government is working with the relevant ministries to consider measures aimed at helping affected girls recover from the trauma.
He maintained that efforts to tackle defilement must focus not only on reported crime figures but also on preventing abuse, ensuring cases are properly investigated and addressing the lasting effects on victims.