The Ministry of Gender, Children, and Social Protection (MoGCSP) has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening domestic violence laws and support systems through a high-level stakeholders’ meeting held in Accra.
The event, organised by the Domestic Violence Secretariat, brought together legal experts, social workers, civil society organisations, and development partners to review existing legislation and explore new tools to support survivors.
Meeting
Speaking at the meeting, the Minister for Gender, Children, and Social Protection, Dr. Agnes Naa Momo Lartey, emphasised the evolving nature of domestic violence, which includes physical, emotional, sexual, and economic abuse. She noted that while such issues were once considered private matters, ongoing legal reforms have encouraged public discourse and structured interventions.
“The advocacy from you as stakeholders cannot be overemphasised, and the Ministry is grateful for your input,” the Minister stated, reaffirming the government's commitment to strengthening policies that protect vulnerable groups.
She also highlighted the need to leverage artificial intelligence and digital platforms to enhance efforts in combating domestic violence.
Legal expert
A key session of the meeting featured legal expert Sheila Minkah-Premo, who provided an in-depth analysis of domestic violence laws, including Act 732, relevant legislative instruments, and the National Plan of Action. Her presentation shed light on legal provisions and their impact on survivors and service providers.
Beyond legal discussions, the Ministry introduced an upgraded version of the Boame SGBV Mobile Application, a digital tool designed to provide immediate support and resources for survivors of sexual and gender-based violence.
The stakeholders' meeting reinforced the collective effort to improve legal protections and enhance survivor support mechanisms in Ghana.
