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‘Stop shielding perpetratorsof Gender-Based Violence’By Spectator Reporter
THE Minister of Gender, Children and Social Protection (MOGCSP), Dr Agnes Naa Momo Lartey, has called on traditional authorities, religious leaders and community influencers to stop shielding perpetrators of gender-based violence and allow the law to work.
She said too many cases were being buried at the community level, with abusers protected while victims were pressured into silence. This, she stressed, must end.
Dr Lartey made the call on Tuesday at the national launch of the 2025, 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence campaign, held at the Kaneshie Main Station in Accra.
This year’s campaign, observed globally from November 25 to December 10, is on the theme: ‘Unite! End Digital Violence Against Women and Girls.’
It highlights rising incidents of cyberbullying, online stalking, image-based exploitation and other forms of technology-facilitated abuse that disproportionately affect women and girls.
The minister urged the media to use their platforms to condemn abuse and intensify education, noting that no person should “die in silence’’ in a society that values dignity, equality and the principles of Sustainable Development Goal 5.
She also encouraged women, girls, men and boys to report any form of abuse, assuring the public that support services were available to all, regardless of age or social status.
Dr Lartey described gender-based violence as one of the most pervasive human rights violations in Ghana. She referenced a 2016 Domestic Violence Survey showing that 27.7 per cent of Ghanaian women have experienced domestic violence, as well as a 2014 Demographic and Health Survey which revealed that 32 per cent of girls aged 15–24 believe wife beating was justified—an indication of harmful societal norms.
Calling the situation “unfortunate and sad,” she stressed that the nation must dismantle cultural beliefs that excuse or normalise violence.
Outlining government actions, Dr Lartey announced that Cabinet has approved the revised National Domestic Violence Policy, while the updated Domestic Abuse Bill and its Legislative Instrument were being finalised by the Attorney-General’s Department.
She also disclosed plans to operationalise a national shelter in Accra and begin constructing the 16 regional shelters promised to strengthen protection systems for survivors.
Additionally, the ministry has trained 200 market leaders as paralegals and 100 professionals, including psychologists, medical workers and legal experts, to support victims with referrals and counselling.
UNFPA Country Representative, Dr David Wilfred Ochan, reaffirmed the agency’s support for Ghana’s efforts. He unveiled a nationwide initiative titled “16 Stations, 16 Routes, 16 Destinations,” which will use the country’s public transport system to raise awareness on gender-based violence.
In partnership with the Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU), the initiative will promote stickers, public announcements, training and codes of conduct to ensure that transport stations become safe spaces where commuters, traders, porters and young people can access information and hotline services to report or prevent abuse.
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The Government of Ghana has approved plans to establish a new teacher training college at Ezinlibo in the Jomoro Municipality of the Western Region.
The Minister for Education, Haruna Iddrisu, announced the decision during a meeting with the Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana National Gas Company.
He explained that the government, through the Ministry of Education and in collaboration with the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission, has a strong case to support the project.
According to him, the new college will help expand access to tertiary education, especially in the Western Region.
He added that the project will be carried out in partnership with Ghana Gas as part of the company’s Corporate Social Responsibility efforts to support education in the area.
The minister stressed that the approval is a policy decision, with plans to establish the college in 2027. He noted, however, that the timeline will depend on the availability of funds from the Ghana Education Trust Fund.
He said the initiative is part of the government’s broader plan to improve teacher education and ensure more trained teachers are available across the country.
The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Ghana Gas, Judith Adjoa Blay, said the meeting followed a proposal by the Nzema Academia and Educationalist Association.
She noted that the discussions focused on the policy direction and overall plan for the project.
She further explained that there will be a technical meeting to outline the scope of work and key requirements needed to begin implementation.
By: Jacob Aggrey
The Ashanti North Regional Police Command has arrested eight suspected highway robbers in a special intelligence-led operation following a robbery attack on the Mampong–Ejura Highway.
In a press release dated March 31, 2026, and signed by the Ashanti North Regional Commander, Assistant Commissioner of Police Felix Apedo, the police said the suspects were linked to a robbery incident that occurred on March 26, 2026, at the Aframso Bridge.
According to the statement, six armed men attacked a driver, Appiah Joseph, who was transporting 14 passengers in a Ssangyong minibus from Kumasi to Atebubu. The attackers reportedly robbed the victims of cash and mobile phones.
The police explained that after the incident, they gathered intelligence and mounted surveillance on the suspects.
Acting on the information, a special operations team, in collaboration with personnel from the NOD Surveillance Unit in Accra, moved to Amakwa Dadey Hotel at Ejura on March 30, 2026.
The statement noted that upon arrival, the officers found the suspects allegedly sharing money believed to be proceeds from the robbery. Eight suspects were subsequently arrested.
They were identified as Amidu Sajo, Ibrahim Sule, Karim Hadu, Malik Jibrilla, Yusifa Asakoko, Umaru Issifu, Damani Yamba, and Ibrahim Iddrisu, also known as “Bule.”
The police further stated that Iddrisu, who was on the wanted list for previous robbery cases, attempted to escape during the operation. While being pursued, he reportedly attacked an officer with a cutlass and tried to seize a service weapon.
In the process, he sustained gunshot wounds to his left leg and arm.
He was rushed to the Mampong Government Hospital and later referred to the Jamasi Pope John Paul Hospital, where he was pronounced dead while receiving treatment.
Police said several items were retrieved during the operation, including two rounds of AK-47 ammunition, three cutlasses, an amount of GHC 15,717.00, eight mobile phones, a talisman, an ID card, and a side bag.
The remaining suspects are currently in police custody and are assisting with investigations.
The command indicated that the operation is ongoing to arrest other suspects and retrieve additional weapons.
It added that the body of the deceased has been deposited at the Mampong Government Hospital morgue for preservation and further action.
The Ashanti North Regional Police Command assured the public of its commitment to fighting highway robbery and ensuring safety, and urged residents to continue cooperating with the police.
By: Jacob Aggrey
