Nursing mums caught among prostitutes

Seventeen women have been arrested by the police for allegedly engaging in prostitution at, the Kwame Nkrumah Circle area in Accra.

Among them are nursing mothers, aged between 15 and 25.

Briefing the Times in Accra on Thursday, the Nima Divisional Commander Angwubutogwe Awuni, said at about 9 p.m. on March 25, a team of 25 police personnel from the Rapid Deployment Force and the Nima Police Station were deployed to Odawna, specifically Neoplan and 'Soldier Bar' both at the Circle to clamp down on suspected criminals.

The women, who were arrested on suspicion of engaging in prostitution, confirmed the police suspicion upon interrogation.

ACP Awuni said the suspects would soon be put before court on a charge of importuning for immoral purposes contrary to Act 29 Section 275 of 1960 Criminal Code.

He said the brothel known as 'Soldier Bar' is still functioning and called for its immediate demolition.

He said the police would intensify its pa¬trols in the country to clamp down criminals.

In an interview with the suspects, one of the suspected prostitutes, a 17-year-old, claimed that she had lost both parents and had to fend for herself and pay her rent.

She said a friend who knew of her plight introduced her to prostitution. She takes contraceptives and uses condoms to prevent preg¬nancy.

According to her, she charges her c1ien'ts between GH¢4 and GH¢5 and sexually satisfies three to five men a day.

She said the 'Soldier Bar' was still in op¬eration and added: "we pay GH¢ 1 for renting a room as well as condoms and tissues."

A nursing mother said she pays an amount of GH¢2 a day to the one who cares for her baby. Others with little children also say they pay GH¢2 to caretakers of their children.