By Gilbert Azeem Tiroog, GNA
Bolgatanga, April 01, GNA – Mr James Twene, the Acting Upper East Regional Director of the Department of Gender, has called on community leaders, families, and stakeholders to desist from interfering in cases of sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV).
According to him, interference in the handling of SGBV cases continued to undermine justice for victims, particularly women and girls and did not deter perpetrators who committed these heinous crimes.
Mr Twene made the call during a Regional Review Meeting on the Essential Services Package (ESP) for survivors of SGBV, organised by the Department of Gender with funding support from the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and held in Bolgatanga.
Mr Twene said although progress had been made in the fight against SGBV through improved collaboration among stakeholders, persistent interference from some influential individuals and family members continued to hinder effective prosecution of offenders.
“If we are fighting gender-based issues and key actors become a hindrance, then it becomes a serious worry for us. 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.
He emphasised that justice for survivors could only be achieved when institutions mandated to handle such cases were allowed to operate without obstruction.
The meeting brought together key institutions such as the Domestic Violence and Victim Support Unit (DOVVSU), Ghana Health Service, Ghana Education Service, Legal Aid Commission, and other stakeholders, who shared updates on their interventions, achievements, and challenges in addressing SGBV in the region.
Ms Yvonne Wonchua, the Upper East Regional UNFPA Focal Person, in her welcome remarks, highlighted the importance of data-driven reporting in tackling SGBV issues.
She noted that while cases such as rape, defilement, and child marriage were frequently reported, inadequate data often limited the ability to mobilise resources for sustained interventions.
She urged stakeholders to provide accurate and timely data to strengthen advocacy and attract funding to support ongoing efforts.
Ms Rita Abamah, the Upper East Regional Gender Desk Officer, Ghana Education Service, disclosed that six defilement cases involving children under the age of 16 were currently being handled across districts including Talensi, Bawku Municipality, and Bolgatanga Municipality.
“Some parents withdraw cases because the perpetrator is a relative, or due to fear of stigmatisation. Others prefer compensation instead of prosecution, while some become frustrated with delays in the legal process,” she explained.
Data presented by DOVVSU indicated that 69 cases of abuse, including defilement, physical abuse, economic abuse, and unlawful child removal, were recorded between the third quarter of 2025 and March 2026.
Sergeant Safia Salifu, an Officer at DOVVSU, noted that family interference remained a major challenge, as some complainants often discontinued communication, making it difficult to pursue cases to conclusion.
Mr Farihan Mutaru, Assistant Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) Officer at the Legal Aid Commission, reported that 21 cases, including forced ejection and marital disputes, had been recorded, with 14 resolved through alternative dispute resolution and three currently under mediation.
Ms Tanni Charity, a Health Information Officer at the Regional Health Directorate, Ghana Health Service, noted that while teenage pregnancy rates had relatively declined over time, fluctuations still existed across districts.
She emphasised the need for comprehensive parental involvement in educating adolescents on reproductive health.
GNA
Edited by Caesar Abagali/Linda Asante Agyei