Policeman allegedly burns 11-year-old boy’s palm over GH₵2

A police officer at Akyem Oda in the Eastern Region, identified as Edmond Laryea, has allegedly burned the palm of an 11-year-old boy.

The incident happened on Sunday, March 31, 2024, around 8:00 pm.

It is reported that someone in the community sent the boy on an errand with GH₵2, but he squandered the money.

Edmond Laryea claimed that the boy’s guardians had previously called him to discipline him for misbehaving.

Hence, the officer resorted to placing the child’s palm in fire to instil fear and discipline.

However, the situation took a drastic turn, resulting in severe burns to the boy’s hand.

The victim recounted the ordeal he endured at the hands of the cop.

“I was hungry so when I was sent to buy pure water, I used the money to buy food and ate. So the police officer subsequently caught me and threatened to cut off my hand, but he changed and placed my hand on fire, and I was severely burned. He didn’t send me to the hospital; he rather asked me to go and sleep.”

According to a resident, Justice Owusu, who shared his account of the incident.

‘The child is always at Kotoku chief’s palace with us here. The incident occurred on Sunday around 8:00 pm. I wasn’t there, but when I returned the following day, I was informed that a police officer had injured my boy simply because he was away with GH₵2 given to him for an errand to buy water two weeks ago. Now, he has burned the hands of the boy; he has not even sent the boy to the hospital. I am the one who took him to a drug store to dress the wound.”

The distressing development has sparked outrage among residents of Akyem Oda and beyond, with calls for swift and decisive action to be taken against the accused police officer.

Ghana’s Juveniles Justice Act, 2003 (Act 653) stipulates that the welfare and rights of the child must be upheld even when accused of a crime.

The Act directs various protocols through which children accused of breaking the law should be taken for correction.