News
Tackling domestic abuse: Islamic Cleric calls for counseling units at mosques
- /home/u249204778/domains/spectator.com.gh/public_html/wp-content/plugins/mvp-social-buttons/mvp-social-buttons.php on line 27
https://spectator.com.gh/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Counselling-units-at-mosques-would-help-victims-report-cases-for-attention.jpg&description=Tackling domestic abuse: Islamic Cleric calls for counseling units at mosques', 'pinterestShare', 'width=750,height=350'); return false;" title="Pin This Post">
- Share
- Tweet /home/u249204778/domains/spectator.com.gh/public_html/wp-content/plugins/mvp-social-buttons/mvp-social-buttons.php on line 72
https://spectator.com.gh/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Counselling-units-at-mosques-would-help-victims-report-cases-for-attention.jpg&description=Tackling domestic abuse: Islamic Cleric calls for counseling units at mosques', 'pinterestShare', 'width=750,height=350'); return false;" title="Pin This Post">
An Islamic Cleric at Wa in the Upper West Region, Sheik Shaban Mohammed Alhassan has called for the establishment of counselling units at the various central mosques across the country, equipped with professional Islamic counsellors to attend to adherents with issues of domestic abuse.
The Cleric was of the view that as a result of customs, traditions and religious misinterpretations, many people who were abused in their marital homes, particularly women were unable to seek redress from the appropriate quarters and said a recognised unit at the mosque for that purpose would go a long way to assist such victims.
He said that a female victim of domestic violence with physical abuse and marital rape would be faulted by society if she reported the incident to the police and so would recoil and endure the pain, other than report the perpetrator to the law enforcers.
“When people are abused, they sometimes fall on the Clerics who may not necessarily be professional counsellors. There is the difference between giving advice and giving counselling; people who have been abused need professional help so a recognised unit dedicated for the purpose at our places of worship will go a long way to help adherents”, he said.
Sheik Alhassan made the call during a panel discussion on sexual and gender based violence at Wa. The programme which was organised by the Network for Young Women Empowerment (NYWE) sought to discuss issues of concern to women and empower them to report abuse cases in order to restore their sanity in society.
The cleric indicated that the provision of counselling units at the various mosques would provide an avenue for victims to report their cases for immediate action and said professionals were good at handling victims and keeping the issues to themselves.
“Abuse can lead to permanent physical and mental injuries and even deaths in some cases so it requires the necessary attention to ensure that victims receive help on time”, he said.
Sheik Alhassan stated that adherents would trust such centres and would not hesitate to approach them with their concerns and said even if the counsellors were unable to resolve the issues through counseling, they would encourage the victims to seek help from the right quarters.
He called on men to respect the rights of women, give them the platform to exhibit their capacities and also empower them economically in order to make them less vulnerable to abuse.
Adding his voice, the Head Pastor of the Ghana Baptist Convention at Wa, Reverend Amos Sunday, admonished husbands to love their wives as God had instructed in the Holy Bible and treat them with utmost respect.
He called for an end to physical abuse and domestic violence but advised that issues of misunderstanding should be resolved through negotiations and proper communication.
The chairperson of the NYWE, Ms Ida Nakaar, said her outfit was interested in empowering young ladies to stand up against abuses, demand for their rights and lobby for opportunity to participate in discussions that concerned their well-being.
From Lydia Darlington Fordjour, Wa
Construction of a major underground stormwater drain along the Dr. Busia Highway within the Kaneshie enclave will commence on September 7, 2026.
The Project Coordinator for the Greater Accra Resilient and Integrated Development (GARID) Project, Dr. Kwadwo Ohene Sarfo, announced this at a special media briefing on Wednesday.
According to him, the works will involve the construction of a double-cell underground rectangular drain measuring approximately 10 metres wide and 1.95 kilometres long, stretching from Pamprom Junction to First Light Junction.
The new drain will replace the existing two 1.2-metre diameter pipes, which are inadequate to carry the volume of stormwater in the area.
Dr. Sarfo said the drain will connect at one end to the recently completed section within the Accra Academy campus and at the other end to the existing drain at Pamprom Junction.
He said the construction is expected to run from September 2026 to October 2027.
The project forms part of government’s broader flood prevention and mitigation programme aimed at addressing perennial flooding in Accra.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
The former Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, has withdrawn from the party’s National Chairmanship race.
In a statement issued yesterday, Chairman Wontumi who is currently serving a 20-year jail term said his decision was driven by his love for the party and his unwillingness to let his personal circumstances distract the NPP from its rebuilding efforts.
“There are moments in the life of a man when the heart wants to continue, but duty demands sacrifice. Moments when one must quietly set aside personal ambition, not because the dream has died, but because the family he loves must not be made to carry his burden. Today, I find myself at such a painful moment,” he wrote.
He disclosed that after many nights of prayer, sober reflection and consultations with his family, legal team, party elders, campaign team and trusted supporters, he concluded that his present situation must not become an additional burden on the NPP.
“This is not the decision my heart desired, but sometimes, true love requires us to release what we deeply want in order to protect what we love even more,” he added.
Recounting his years of service, Chairman Wontumi said he had served the party with everything within him, walking through heat and rain, travelling to remote communities and standing with the grassroots in both victory and defeat.
“For many years, I have served the NPP with everything within me… The NPP is not merely a political party to me. It is my family. It is my home. It is a cause to which I have dedicated a significant part of my life,” he stated.
He explained that the party, already carrying the pain of electoral defeat and the huge responsibility of preparing for the future, should not be made to carry his personal weight.
“That is why I cannot allow my present situation or personal ambition to distract the party from the difficult work of rebuilding. I cannot ask the party to carry my weight when it is already carrying the pain of defeat and the enormous responsibility of preparing for the battle ahead. I would rather carry this pain quietly than allow the party I love to suffer because of me,” he said.
He further sympathized with his supporters across the 16 regions, acknowledging that the decision would be painful for many who had sacrificed for his campaign.
“To my teeming supporters across all sixteen regions, I know this message will hurt. I know many of you will read it with tears in your eyes because I understand the sacrifices you have made for this journey,” he said.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
