Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Elizabeth Dassah, has noted that the frequent child elopement and early marriage among young girls of school going age is a major concern for the Domestic Violence and Victim Support Unit (DOVVSU) of the Police.

ACP Dassah who is the National Coordinating Director of DOVVSU, called for the integration of efforts by all Departments working to protect the interest of women and children.

ACP Dassah expressed the concern when she paid a courtesy call on the Upper West Regional Minister, Alhaji Amidu Sulemana at his office in Wa.

The DOVVSU Coordinator said another area of concern for the Unit was the non-maintenance of children by their parents, which topped the list of close to 200,000 domestic violence cases recorded by the Unit nationally.

She congratulated Alhaji Sulemana on his appointment as the Upper West Regional Minister and appealed to him to support the Regional Office of the Unit to enable it to carry out its mandate effectively by protecting the girl-child from negative socio-cultural practices such as elopement and early marriages.

Alhaji Sulemana also lamented over the issues raised by the DOVVSU National Coordinator and pledged to support the Unit in the region.

He said government was working towards implementing policies that would help eradicate these negative socio-cultural practices and create conducive environment for all children to realize their full potentials.

Alhaji Sulemana appealed to parents especially men, to be more responsible in the maintenance of their children to give them the confidence in the pursuit of their God given talents.**