Tamale, April 18, GNA - Lack of logistics by the law enforcement agencies, interference by opinion leaders and perceived corruption among public officials, are hampering the fight against domestic violence and other social challenges in the Northern Region. These factors came to light in Tamale when the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA) Ghana, engaged the law enforcement agencies to discuss the domestic violence law. The agencies included the Domestic Violence and Victim Support Unit of the Ghana Police Service, Department of Social Welfare, Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice and the Department of Women and Children.

Madam Jane Quaye, Executive Director of FIDA-Ghana said the domestic violence law was one of the comprehensive laws in the country that could give much liberty and protection to couples especially women and children from abuses.

She said under the law, domestic violence is a crime and the police do not need any warrant to cause the arrest of perpetrators, adding that people found culpable could face a fined of 500 Ghana Cedis or two years imprisonment or more.

Madam Quaye however expressed worry that although Ghana was often one of the first signatories to international conventions, the country had remained weak in terms of implementation or enforcement of such legal framework.

Madam Saratu Mahama, Regional Co-ordinator of FIDA said her outfit had made some significant efforts at reducing violence and abuses relating to women through its educational programmes whilst relations between husbands and wives had improved significantly. She said through the efforts of FIDA, six cases in Northern Region and seven in the Upper East Region had been successfully prosecuted, saying efforts of para-legal services had also paid dividends in sensitising communities about women's rights.

Some of the participants asked the police to pursue the alleged rape of some girls at Nalerigu in the East Mamprusi District by some security personnel. They also called for the abolition of witches camps in the region, which they said contravened the rights of the inmates. 18 April 10