The Deputy National Communications Director of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Kamal-Deen Abdulai, has called for a psychological evaluation of the suspect accused of stealing a child, stressing that such assessments should be part of the ongoing investigations.
His remarks come after a recent incident at Mamprobi Hospital, where a woman, allegedly disguised as a nurse, reportedly took a newborn from the postnatal ward, sparking widespread public concern.
Speaking on the Joy News AM Show on Thursday, February 19, Mr Abdulai said that while the law clearly punishes child stealing, authorities must also consider the mental and emotional state of the accused.
“Our laws frown on it. Section 93 of the Criminal Offences Act is clear on child stealing. Of course, even this kind of offence can be tried under abduction and kidnapping as well,” he said, emphasising the seriousness of the crime.
However, Mr Abdulai argued that beyond legal provisions, investigators should examine the suspect’s psychological background, especially in cases involving women who may be struggling with infertility.
“But that said, in our social settings, women who find it very difficult to conceive go through a lot. That is why they also need to conduct some psychological, if you like, research on the person who is purported to have, who is alleged to have, stolen the child. What is she going through? What actually triggered it? All these things ought to be looked at,” he said.
Drawing comparisons with practices in more developed jurisdictions, he added, “Advanced countries, they would not just, you know, go straight to punishing, even though the act is there. They would investigate to know her status, what warranted this, and what the actual intent was. All this will be established before maybe the final docket is presented for an offence to be charged.”
Mr Abdulai acknowledged the intense societal pressure some women face when they are unable to conceive. “I say this because most women go through some of these problems. I am married, I don’t have a child, and the entire family is on you, off the map.”
Nonetheless, he was firm that such pressures cannot justify criminal conduct. “Do you have to steal a baby? No, you don’t have to at all. It’s not. That’s why I say the laws harm women adequately. It’s wrong. It’s not a proper act. It’s an immoral act.
“But you see, people go through a lot as well. That’s what I’m saying. That said, it doesn’t justify what has happened,” he concluded.
DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.
DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.
Source: www.myjoyonline.com
