Ghana Gender-Based Violence Response: Why It’s Failing – Insights from Angela Dwamena Aboagye

Discover why Ghana’s approach to tackling gender-based violence (GBV) remains stagnant, according to expert Dr. Angela Dwamena Aboagye. This in-depth analysis covers the four pillars of effective GBV response and implementation gaps.

Introduction

Gender-based violence (GBV) in Ghana persists as a critical public health and human rights crisis, affecting women, children, and communities nationwide. On November 25, during a discussion on JoyNews AM Show, Dr. Angela Dwamena Aboagye, Lawyer and Executive Director of the Ark Foundation, highlighted the vulnerabilities in Ghana’s GBV response sector. She described it as “susceptible and stagnant,” pointing to years of insufficient investment and systemic failures in addressing this pervasive issue.

Dr. Aboagye’s expertise stems from decades of work in Ghana’s GBV resources, where she has observed minimal progress despite recurring incidents. This article breaks down her key insights into Ghana’s gender-based violence response, offering a pedagogical guide to understanding the challenges and pathways forward. If you’re searching for reliable information on GBV response in Ghana, this covers the essentials.

Analysis

Understanding Gender-Based Violence in Ghana

GBV encompasses physical, sexual, emotional, and economic abuse rooted in gender inequalities. In Ghana, it manifests in domestic violence, sexual assault, child marriage, and harmful traditional practices. Dr. Aboagye emphasized that while cases continue to emerge across the nation, the responsible systems repeatedly fail to deliver justice or support.

Her analysis reveals a lack of advancement in comprehending GBV’s complexities or implementing practical measures. Effective responses require coordinated efforts, yet Ghana struggles with fragmented approaches.

The Four Pillars of an Effective GBV Response

Dr. Aboagye outlined a robust framework for combating GBV, likening it to a four-legged stool: prevention, protection, provision, and prosecution. Each pillar must function optimally for the system to stand firm.

• Prevention: Involves public education, sensitization campaigns, and raising awareness about the criminality of GBV acts.
• Protection: Ensures safety through law enforcement and immediate victim support.
• Provision: Delivers essential services like shelters, counseling, medical care, and legal aid.
• Prosecution: Holds perpetrators accountable via fair trials and convictions.

She asserted that in Ghana, all four pillars are faltering, leading to a collapsed response mechanism.

Enforcement and Implementation Gaps

A core issue, per Dr. Aboagye, is not the laws themselves—Ghana has progressive legislation like the Domestic Violence Act (Act 732) of 2007 and the Criminal Offences Amendment Act—but their enforcement. Policies exist, yet implementation lags, undermining victim protection and perpetrator accountability.

Summary

In summary, Dr. Angela Dwamena Aboagye’s commentary on JoyNews exposes Ghana’s gender-based violence response sector as weak due to failures across prevention, protection, provision, and prosecution. Despite solid laws, poor enforcement perpetuates the cycle of GBV, calling for urgent systemic reforms.

Key Points

Practical Advice

Strengthening Prevention Efforts

To bolster GBV prevention in Ghana, communities and authorities should prioritize widespread sensitization. Schools, media, and religious leaders can educate on consent, rights, and consequences. Practical steps include mandatory GBV modules in curricula and community workshops by organizations like the Ark Foundation.

Enhancing Protection and Provision

Victims need accessible police stations with trained gender desks and one-stop centers offering medical, psychological, and legal aid. Train law enforcement on trauma-informed responses to improve GBV protection in Ghana.

Improving Prosecution

Streamline case reporting, expedite trials, and ensure witness protection. Collaborate with NGOs for evidence collection, ensuring perpetrators face justice swiftly.

Role of Individuals and Organizations

Citizens can report incidents via hotlines like the Ghana Police Service Domestic Violence and Victim Support Unit (DOVVSU). Support groups like the Ark Foundation provide advocacy and resources.

Points of Caution

Dr. Aboagye warns against over-relying on new laws without addressing implementation. Key cautions include:

• Avoiding superficial responses like sporadic campaigns that ignore root causes.
• Recognizing that weak prevention leads to more cases overwhelming protection services.
• Beware of resource misallocation; fund all four pillars equally.
• Monitor for cultural barriers that normalize GBV, hindering reporting.

Failure to heed these risks perpetuating a “susceptible” system, as described.

Comparison

Ghana vs. Regional Best Practices

Compared to neighbors like Rwanda, which integrated GBV into national health strategies with dedicated funds and trained personnel, Ghana lags in coordinated pillar implementation. Rwanda’s Isange model provides integrated services, reducing case backlogs.

Global Benchmarks

Internationally, countries like Spain exemplify success through specialized GBV courts and 24/7 helplines, ensuring swift prosecution. Ghana’s challenge mirrors many developing nations but underscores the need for enforcement-focused reforms, aligning with UN Sustainable Development Goal 5 on gender equality.

Legal Implications

Ghana’s legal framework for GBV is robust, featuring the Domestic Violence Act (Act 732), Sexual Offences Act, and Human Trafficking Act. These criminalize various GBV forms with penalties up to life imprisonment. However, Dr. Aboagye notes that non-enforcement leads to impunity, violating constitutional rights under Article 17 (equality) and international obligations like CEDAW. Victims can seek redress via courts, but delays erode efficacy. Strengthening legal aid ensures compliance.

Conclusion

Dr. Angela Dwamena Aboagye’s critique illuminates the fragility of Ghana’s gender-based violence response. By fortifying the four pillars—prevention, protection, provision, and prosecution—through better enforcement, Ghana can transition from susceptibility to resilience. Stakeholders must invest now to safeguard lives and uphold justice. Stay informed and advocate for change in the fight against GBV in Ghana.

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