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“Ghana needs accurate data on sexual violence victims”
A research report on sexual violence against women and girls in Ghana, has called for the need to improve data collection systems to accurately capture the prevalence, nature, and consequence of sexual violence, to help address the menace.
The research which was a three-year project by the African Women’s Development Fund in collaboration with Ford Foundation West Africa and Open Society West Africa, is demanding for a proper accurate data of victims of sexual violence to help seek justice, and as well have proper data to influence policy decision making.
It was conducted in 2022 in partnership with the Centre For Health Development and Research, and the White Ribbon Alliance in Kenya, to scale up intervention to address and reduce sexual violence in the country 
Over 4,500 girls and women were engaged during the research, carried out in 11 regions including Accra, Ashanti, Bono, Bono East, Central, Eastern, Volta, and Upper West, with information gathered from the respondent using standardized questionnaires.
With institutions such as the Domestic Violence and Victim Support Unit, that provided their input, the research delved into the definition of sexual violence, highlighting the unanimous agreement among the participants that includes any non-consensual abuse or assault among others.
The Technical Consultant of the Project, Dr Jemima Dennis-Antwi, presenting the findings of the report to some selected journalists at a day workshop yesterday in Accra, said, about 70 percent of the respondents understood sexual violence.
She said the age of the respondents was between 10 to 60 years, with most of the respondents who have been sexually abused not able to seek justice due to lack of funds to pay for their medical care.
She added that sexual violence was not a simple issue, as it involves a multi stakeholders factors such as cultural norms, social attitude, legal shortcomings, and economic dependencies, stressing ” addressing sexual violence requires a nuanced understanding of these interrelated factors.”
She further stated that “Sexual Violence has devastating consequences on survivors, affecting them physically, emotionally, and psychologically, the broader impact on society includes strain on healthcare systems, legal framework, and overall community well-being.”
“Comprehensive support services are vital for survivors of sexual violence. Accessible and sensitive healthcare, counselling, and trauma-informed care are essential for healing and recovery,” Dr Dennis-Antwi said.
BY BERNARD BENGHAN
Madam Sandra Seyram Kpedor, the District Chief Executive (DCE) of Anloga in the Volta Region, has emphasised the importance of parental involvement in children’s education, stating that education is free, but parents need to do more to support their children.
She said parents, teachers, and students must be involved in addressing the challenges facing the district’s education sector, particularly the poor Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) results.
Madam Kpedor outlined some key roles parents should play to promote their children’s education, including providing a conducive learning environment, monitoring their children’s progress, and supporting teachers.
The DCE highlighted some challenges the district faced such as inadequate infrastructure and a shortage of teachers, which have also contributed to the poor BECE results and called on well-to-do parent to help solve the situation through and other supports.
To address the issues, she also announced that plans have been taken to utilise the district’s common fund to implement educational projects, such as constructing school blocks and teachers’ bungalows at Sodzi community, and 2-unit classroom blocks each at Akplorwutorkor and Tegbi-Afedome respectively, among others.
Madam Kpedor also noted that her office had earlier notified the Ministry of Education to deploy more teachers to the area to improve teaching and learning, and encouraged students to work hard and strive for excellence, and work beyond their limit to succeed.
“To my wonderful and beautiful girls, you have to know it clear that women and girls have equal opportunities to compete with men for greater achievements,” she indicated.
The DCE cited her own achievement as a testament to the fact that women can excel in leadership positions, alongside Vice President Nana Jane Opoku-Agyemang, and stressed that girls were no longer limited to domestic roles but can pursue their dreams and become leaders.
Additionally, she mentioned that a meeting was held earlier with assembly members, and other stakeholders to address the district’s educational challenges and improve academic performance.
She promised that the district’s education oversight committee and stakeholders would work together to address the challenges and improve the district’s BECE results and called for parental involvement and support to boost the district’s education sector for children to chase their dreams to become future leaders for the success of the district and the nation.
She urged parents not to leave everything to the government but rather help in the provision of some necessary materials such as textbooks, exercise books, pens, pencils, food, and guidance to children for the successes of young learners. –GNA
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The spokesperson for Dr. Bawumia, Dennis Miracles Aboagye, has criticised the implementation of the NDC government’s No Fee Stress policy, arguing that the programme has failed to deliver on its core promise.
According to him on Starr fm, the policy, which was introduced to ensure stress free payment of fees for level 100 tertiary students, has rather turned into what he described as post stress support.
He explained that students are required to pay their fees first before applying for reimbursement, a situation he believes defeats the purpose of the policy.
He questioned claims by government officials that the policy has been successful and that citizens are happy.
In his view, such claims do not reflect the lived realities of many Ghanaians. He stressed that while some people may appear satisfied, many others continue to struggle.
Dennis Miracles Aboagye pointed to the situation of trained teachers and nurses who have been picketing for nearly six months, demanding employment.
He noted that government responses suggesting it cannot accommodate all of them contradict claims of economic stability.
He further argued that economic indicators such as a stable currency mean little to people who are unable to secure jobs or access promised support.
He observed that telling an unemployed teacher or a struggling student that the cedi has strengthened does not address their immediate challenges.
On the issue of tertiary education, he maintained that no level 100 student benefited from stress free fees in 2025, despite the policy being announced.
He added that in 2026, students have already reported to school without receiving the promised support.
He insisted that asking students to pay fees first and seek reimbursement later amounts to support after hardship, not stress free education.
According to him, this approach goes against what was promised during the policy announcement.
Dennis Miracles Aboagye questioned why a government that presents the economy as strong is unable to fulfil what he described as simple and clear promises.
He added that there is a fundamental problem with the way the economy is being managed and indicated that he is prepared to explain his position further.
By: Jacob Aggrey
