By Roselyn Ganyaglo
Head of Legal and Prosecution at the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) of the Ghana Police Service, Superintendent Sylvester Asare, has called for the creation of more dedicated Courts throughout the country to exclusively handle cases of gender-based violence.
This will help expedite legal proceedings to ensure the timely delivery of justice.
He indicated that the rate at which cases are adjourned is worrying, saying,
”Every victim is entitled to justice”.
Speaking at a stakeholder engagement organised by the Centre for Health Development and Research (CEHDAR) in Accra, Superintendent Asare explained that a One Stop Hall facility where Doctors, Psychologists and Legal Aid Services among others, can be accessed will go a long way to help in dealing with the issues involved on time, “Criminal justice is a game of evidence,” he said.
Superintendent Asare called on stakeholders to intensify the campaign against sexual violence to enlighten the public on the dos and don’ts in such cases.
Superintendent Asare also urged the public to desist from handling sexual violence cases at home but report for necessary action.
“As community members, we should avoid resolving sexual violence-related matters in house, always report to the authority concerned to deal with the matter,” he added.
The UNFPA representative, Dr. Wilfred Ochan, passionately called for the establishment of robust support networks to break the culture of silence surrounding the issue.
He said, “Because sexual violence, including rape, is often hidden and treated as taboo, it has promoted a culture of silence.”
The UNFPA Representative expressed UNFPA’s commitment to partnering with government and other stakeholders in the area of research to provide the evidence needed for interventions to reduce Gender Based Violence (GBV). “Our interest is also in strengthening a harmonised GBV information management system that can be used to guide decisions,” Dr Ochan emphasised.
UNFPA actively collaborates in the battle against Gender-Based Violence, extending critical assistance to the Ministry of Gender, Children, and Social Protection.
