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Forcibly sleeping with wife punishable – Experts
There is a limit to everything in this world and it is better for humans especially men to becareful of their actions and inactions that have the tendency of coming into conflict with the law.
It is, therefore, a crime for married men to forcibly have sex with their wives because marriage is not a guarantee for marital rape.
Two panelists at a stakeholders’ engagement on violence against women at Wa on Tuesday cautioned men against marital rape which according to them was punishable by law.
The panel members unanimously argued that although the general notion after marriage was that women were available for sex, there were instances they were overwhelmed by natural circumstances that did not permit sex and the husbands were expected to understand and excuse them.
The meeting formed part of a 16-days activism for the commemoration of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women and Children and was held by the Network for Young Women Empowerment, a non-governmental organization at Wa in the Upper West Region.
The Commander at the Domestic Violence and Victim Support Unit (DVVSU) at the Regional Police Command, Assistant Superintendent of Police, (ASP) Adongo Apiiya said marital rape was seriously perpetuated in most homes and the women who were left victimised had no voice to complain due to social stigma.
“Marriage comes with sexual relations but when the woman says she is sick and not feeling well, she should not be coerced into having an affair she is not ready for because that could compound her situation”, he stated.
He explained that wellness was not just about the physical being and indicated that women could be suffering from some emotional or psychological trauma at the time and was incumbent on the husbands to see to their recovery before they requested for such intimate responsibilities from them.
“If a woman is bold enough to report marital rape to the police and she is able to provide enough evidence to substantiate her claims, the husband can suffer legal consequences because even though she is his wife, she has the right to say no to sex when she is not well”, he added.
He, however, cautioned women against hiding behind legal protection to deny their husbands sex when they were clearly capable of going into the act but encouraged them to embrace their marital responsibilities for happier homes.
Adding his voice, a broadcaster with the regional station of the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation, Mr Seidu Bhomajo also said even after the woman had consented to a sexual relation, she had the right to withdraw the consent in the course of the act and the man had to respect her wishes.
He called on his colleague males to regard sexual relations as an act of mutual understanding and avoid coercion in order to make their wives excited in their marriages.
From Lydia Darlington Fordjour, Wa
Local mattress manufacturers have raised serious concerns over the influx of substandard mattresses, warning that these products pose significant health risks to consumers and threaten the sustainability of Ghana’s mattress industry.
At a press briefing held in Kumasi on Tuesday, manufacturers accused unregistered foreign entities, particularly Chinese firms, of flooding the market with cheap mattresses made from polystyrene.
Mr Yaw Ampem Darko, a spokesperson for the local manufacturers, warned that prolonged use of substandard mattresses, especially those made with polystyrene, could result in chronic back pain, musculoskeletal disorders, poor posture, and diminished sleep quality.
These health implications, they stressed, were not always immediately evident but accumulate over time, especially among vulnerable populations such as children and the elderly.
This material, typically used for packaging, is considered unsuitable and unsafe for bedding.
According to industry leaders, these sub-standard products have been circulating for at least five years, gaining traction among unsuspecting consumers due to their unusually low prices.
“These mattresses are being sold at suspiciously low prices, luring unsuspecting consumers who are unaware of the health dangers.”
“We are not just protecting our businesses; we are protecting Ghanaian lives. The government must act swiftly to stem this tide before more citizens fall victim to these dangerous products,” Mr Yaw Ampem Darko stated.
The Ghana Standards Authority (GSA) has acknowledged the issue and, in response, announced a nationwide enforcement campaign aimed at clamping down on the production, distribution, and sale of substandard mattresses.
The campaign, which was scheduled to take effect from September 30, 2025, was empowered by the GSA Act, 2022 (Act 1078), which authorises the Authority to seize and seal non-compliant products and impose sanctions on offenders.
In a statement signed by the Director General of the GSA, Professor George Agyei, the authority cited Sections 29 and 43 of the Act, reiterating that all mattresses sold in Ghana must meet established national standards or face confiscation.
The statement further emphasised that mattresses failing to meet these standards not only compromise sleep quality but also contribute to long-term health complications, including spinal and neck pain.
Despite the GSA’s commitment, manufacturers have expressed frustration over delays in implementation and called for stronger enforcement mechanisms.
They urged the GSA to work in close collaboration with the Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority and national law enforcement agencies to identify and prosecute violators of Ghana’s quality standards.
Manufacturers are also appealing to consumers to remain vigilant and prioritise their health by verifying that any mattress they purchase bears the GSA certification mark.
Moreover, they caution the public against purchasing suspiciously cheap mattresses that lack proper labelling or identifiable branding, as these were often indicators of substandard or counterfeit products.
As the official enforcement deadline had expired with no show, the local producers insisted that much more than business interests were at stake.
They argued that without swift and sustained action, the health and safety of Ghanaian consumers would continue to be compromised.
“Public awareness, strict enforcement, and collaboration among regulatory bodies are essential if we are to protect the integrity of the local industry and the wellbeing of the Ghanaian people,” Mr Darko indicated.
From Kingsley E. Hope, Kumasi
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The Founder of the Raissa Child Protection Initiative, Ms Raissa Sambou, has urged authorities to impose severe punishment on individuals, including teachers and guardians, who sexually abuse young girls.
Speaking in an interview to mark this year’s International Day of the Girl Child (October 11), Ms Sambou condemned the increasing cases of sexual exploitation involving minors, describing such acts as “heartless, criminal, and a total betrayal of trust.”
She noted that those entrusted with the care and education of children must not be the same people who violate them, stressing that “anyone found guilty of abusing a girl child must face the full rigours of the law without leniency.”
The International Day of the Girl Child is observed annually to promote the rights of girls, empower them to reach their full potential, and draw attention to the challenges they face worldwide.
Ms Sambou lamented that poverty continues to push many young girls into vulnerable situations, exposing them to exploitation.
She expressed concern that some headmasters, teachers, and community members who should protect girls rather take advantage of them.
“This must stop immediately. The safety of every girl must never be compromised,” she said, urging the public to report all forms of abuse to the appropriate authorities and called for swift action by law enforcement agencies against perpetrators.
Addressing girls directly, Ms Sambou encouraged them to take their education seriously and to believe in their potential.
“It is possible to be young and responsible. Your future is bright, protect it, believe in it, and never let anyone dim your light,” she advised.
She further urged girls to choose their friends wisely, stay disciplined, and speak up if anyone makes sexual advances toward them.
Ms Sambou concluded with a rallying call for collective action, saying “speak up, protect them, and empower them. Together, we can end the sexual exploitation of girls.”
By Esinam Jemima Kuatsinu
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