Gender Ministry inaugurates Domestic Violence Management Board

Minister of Gender, Children and Social Protection,Nana Oye Lithur on Thursday said the high prevalence of domestic violence in Ghana threatens the every individual security and the nation’s development.

She said Ghana's Constitution guarantees the Human and Equal Rights of all persons, and that, Government with the support from Civil Society, had made several efforts in furtherance of these enshrined provisions, including legislative policy and institutional reforms.

Nana Oye Lithur said this at the inauguration of a 17-member board of the Domestic Violence (DV) Management Board of the Ministry.

Members of the board include the Minister as Chairperson, Mrs Comfort Doyee Cudjoe Ghansah, a Minister of State at the Presidency, Mr Kwasi Armo-Himbson, Chief Director of the Ministry and Secretary to the Board, and Rosemary Ardayfio, Daily Graphic.

Others are Sophia Karen Ackuoku, Managing Director of Amsos, Carlos De Souza, a Legal Practioner, Ernest Otoo, Ministry of Education, Mr Joseph Adomako, Attorney General Department and Lawrencia Akorli, DOVVSU Coordinator.

The rest are Adolf Awuku Bekoe, Domestic Violence Coalition, Dr Patrick K. Aboagye, Ministry of Health, Dorothy Onny, a Director at Local Government Ministry, Lawrencia Ofori-Addo, Department of Social Welfare, Her Ladyship Georgina Mensah-Datsa, Judicial Service, Nortey Dua, Ghana Medical School and Nana Ama Ayuesua Saara III, Queen mother of Denkyira.

She said the Board is to make recommendation for National Plan of Action (NPA) against Domestic Violence, monitor and report on the progress of the NPA through the Minister, Advice the Minister on policy matters under the Act, propose and promote strategies to prevent and combat Domestic Violence.

The Board, the Minister said “are to liaise with Government agencies and organizations to promote the rehabilitation and reintegration of victims of domestic violence, prepare guidelines for disbursement of the DV Fund, Management of the Fund, Conduct Research on international and regional development and deal with any matter with Domestic Violence”.

Nana Oye Lithur said the functions mention above were very essential in the national response to domestic violence, especially in the prevention of DV, as well as guaranteeing survivors access to better service delivery.

She congratulated the old board for the many successes they had achieved and thanked them for their service to the nation.

Dr Aboagye of the Ministry of Health, on behalf of the members, thanked the Minister for the confidence reposed in them and assured her of their commitments, and will ensure that their mandate and duties are well executed.