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Gender ministry holds stakeholders meeting on Domestic Violence Laws
In a significant step toward enhancing protections for survivors of domestic violence, the Ministry of Gender, Children, and Social Protection (MoGCSP), through its Domestic Violence Secretariat, held a stakeholders’ meeting on February 26, 2025.
The event brought together legal experts, social workers, civil society organizations, development partners, and other key stakeholders to review existing legislative measures and explore innovative tools to support survivors. 
Addressing the gathering, the Minister for Gender, Children, and Social Protection, Dr. Agnes Naa Momo Lartey, underscored the evolving nature of domestic violence, emphasizing that it manifests in various forms—including physical, emotional, sexual, and economic abuse.
She noted that while such issues were once considered private matters and rarely discussed openly, significant progress has been made in creating a legal framework that fosters public discourse and structured interventions.
“The advocacy from you as stakeholders cannot be overemphasized, and the Ministry is grateful for your input,” the Minister stated, reaffirming the government’s commitment to strengthening policies that protect the rights of the vulnerable.
Recognizing the increasing role of technology, the Minister highlighted the importance of leveraging artificial intelligence and digital platforms to enhance the fight against domestic violence.
A key highlight of the meeting was a presentation by legal expert Sheila Minkah-Premo on the intricacies of domestic violence laws, including Act 732, the Legislative Instrument (L.I.), and the National Plan of Action. The session provided an in-depth analysis of the legal framework, outlining key provisions and their practical implications for survivors and service providers.
Beyond legal reforms, the meeting also showcased advancements in survivor support mechanisms.
The Ministry launched an upgraded version of the Boame SGBV Mobile Application – a digital tool designed to provide immediate assistance and resources for survivors of sexual and gender-based violence.
The stakeholders’ meeting reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to strengthening domestic violence laws and enhancing survivor support systems.
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EC to conduct elections in selected polling stations at Ablekuma North
As part of its commitment to resolve the impass egarding he Ablekuma North Constituency Parliamentary Election, the Electoral Commission(EC) yesterday, Tuesday, July 1, 2025, met with the representatives of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and New Patriotic Party (NPP).
The meeting, which was a follow-up to an earlier meeting held on Thursday, June 12, 2025, provided both parties the opportunity to brief the commission on any new
developments regarding the said constituency.
The parties informed the Commission that their positions put forward at the last mecting remained unchanged.
The NDC held the view that the election should be rerun thirty -seven
(37) Polling Stations because scanned Pink Sheets from 37 Polling Stations which were used to
collate the results, were provided the NPP.
The NPP was of the view that the results from three (3) outstanding Poling Stations be collated and a winner declared since the NDC Agents had verified and confirmed
the scanned Poling Station results they presented.
According to the EC, it is important for the public to understand that the issue in contention has to do with
the fact that 37 Pink Sheets provided by the NPP and used to colate the results were scanned copies.
“The Public may recall that Political Party supporters besieged our Collation Centre and
destroyed a number of the Pink Sheets for the Ablekuma North Parliamentary Elcction during the collation of results following the December 7 Gencral Election,” the EC added.
After extensive deliberations, the Commission informed the Political Parties that it would
proceed to rerun the election in 19
of the 37 Polling Stations.
The Commission arrived at the decision to rerun the election in the underlisted Polling Stations because, the scanned Polling Station resuits used for the collation, though approved by Agents of both political Parties, were not verified by the Presiding Officers responsible for the Polling
Stations.
According to the EC, it is instructive to note that the Commission was able to secure the Presiding Officers
verification and confirmation for 18 scanned Polling Station results-
Agents of both parties also approved same.
The election will be held on Friday, July 11, 2025
The Commission has further urged the Ghana Police Service to provide the needed security to ensure a safe environment for the conduct of the election.
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The Minister for Fisheries and Aquaculture Development Addresses Parliament.
The Minister for Fisheries and Aquaculture Development, Emelia Arthur has disclosed that in 2021, Ghana was issued a yellow card by the European Union after being identified as a non-compliant third country in the fight against illegal fishing activities.
According to the Minister, the government, through the Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture Development, has engaged the European Union(EU) through the Ghana European Union dialogue, to address the concerns raised by the European Union(EU).
The engagement included the implementation of an action plan, periodic update report and validation exercises.
“We are happy to report that Ghana has made significant progress in resolving key concerns, primarily related to lapses in the regulatory framework, fisheries enforcement, and traceability,” she stated.
Also, she emphasized that a review of pending actions indicates that the enactment of the Fisheries and Aquaculture Development Bill, along with its accompanying regulations, remains critical to enhancing fisheries governance in Ghana.
She further informed the House that the Ministry has already submitted the Fisheries and Aquaculture Development Bill, 2025, to the House.
The bill was later referred to the Parliamentary Select Committee on Agriculture, Food, and Cocoa Affairs for consideration.
The Minister made this statement in response to a question posed by Member of Parliament for Atwima Mponua, Seth Osei-Akoto, regarding the immediate measures the ministry is implementing to sanitize Ghana’s fishing sector in the light of the European Union’s warning that Ghana could face a potential red card.
