Bolgatanga, April 01, – Mr. James Twene, Acting Upper East Regional Director of the Department of Gender, has urged community leaders, families, and other stakeholders to refrain from interfering in sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) cases.
He said such interference continued to undermine justice for survivors, particularly women and girls, while emboldening perpetrators of these crimes.
Mr. Twene made the call during a Regional Review Meeting on the Essential Services Package (ESP) for SGBV survivors, organised by the Department of Gender with support from the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) in Bolgatanga.
He acknowledged progress made through improved collaboration among stakeholders but noted that interference by influential individuals and family members remained a major barrier to effective prosecution.
“If we are fighting gender-based issues and key actors become a hindrance, then it becomes a serious worry. When someone commits a crime, we must be bold to report it and allow the laws of the land to deal with the person,” he stated.
Mr. Twene stressed that justice for survivors could only be achieved when mandated institutions were allowed to operate without obstruction.
The meeting brought together stakeholders including the Domestic Violence and Victim Support Unit (DOVVSU), Ghana Health Service, Ghana Education Service, and the Legal Aid Commission, who shared updates on interventions and challenges in addressing SGBV in the region.
Ms. Yvonne Wonchua, Upper East Regional UNFPA Focal Person, underscored the importance of accurate and timely data in tackling SGBV, noting that gaps in data limited resource mobilisation and sustained interventions.
Ms. Rita Abamah, Upper East Regional Gender Desk Officer at the Ghana Education Service, revealed that six defilement cases involving minors were currently being handled across districts such as Talensi, Bawku Municipality, and Bolgatanga Municipality.
She attributed challenges in prosecution to factors including family pressure, stigma, preference for compensation, and delays in the legal process.
Data from DOVVSU indicated that 69 abuse cases, including defilement, physical and economic abuse, and unlawful child removal, were recorded between the third quarter of 2025 and March 2026.
Sergeant Safia Salifu of DOVVSU said family interference often led to complainants withdrawing cooperation, making it difficult to conclude cases.
Mr. Farihan Mutaru, Assistant Alternative Dispute Resolution Officer at the Legal Aid Commission, reported 21 cases, with 14 resolved and three under mediation.
Ms. Tanni Charity, Health Information Officer at the Regional Health Directorate, Ghana Health Service, noted a decline in teenage pregnancy rates, though disparities persisted across districts, and called for stronger parental involvement in adolescent reproductive health education.
GHBUSS
April 01, 2026
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