Founder of Save the Nation for Future Leaders, a Civil Society Organization (CSO), Mr. Kwadwo Atta Apeakorang has expressed worry about recent incidences of domestic violence in the country.
Mr Apeakorang, who spoke in an exclusive interview with The Chronicle in Accra indicated that the time had come for the government, CSOs, human rights advocates and the country at large, to rise up against such violence.
He said, “We cannot afford to sit down and watch for all these to continue. It is very wrong for everybody to sit down and wait for the crime to be committed before we condemn it, let us go down to the people and speak to them about the signs to look out for and the consequences of staying in abusive relationships.”
“Community level engagements on the dangers of domestic violence is very necessary. Let us set good examples for the future leaders” he stressed.
According to him, statistics in Ghana indicate that 33 to 37 per cent of women have ever experienced domestic violence in the form of intimate partner violence in their relationship.
He also mentioned that last month a 25-year-old woman, Eunice Armeh Narh who was a resident of Nungua in Accra was allegedly murdered by her husband after she served him with a letter from legal aid to take custody of their 3-year-old son.
The suspect, Isaac Newton Kumah inflicted cutlass wounds on the deceased leading to her death.
Citing another case, he stated that on June 13, a man believed to be in his late 30s reportedly butchered his wife to death at WassaWiredukrom in the Western Region after a misunderstanding between the two.The suspect whose name was only given as Atta is said to be on the run.
Mr Apeakorang, is therefore calling on authorities to take swift measures to investigate the sudden rise in such cases which has led to the death of some victims, women especially and implement measures targeted at addressing the problem.
He also advised young girls to take their education seriously so that they can be empowered enough in the near future to stay away from abusive men.
Poverty, he said, was one of the reasons why some women choose to stay with abusive partners, adding that the financial empowerment of women will go a long way in reducing violence against females.
In furtherance, he indicated that children who grow up in households with domestic violence were more likely to perpetuate or become victims of violence in their adult lives, because they may see the violent behavior as normal and struggle to break free from the cycle of abuse.
Mr Apeakorang who is also a human rights advocates therefore advised the public to exercise patience in all situations to avoid violent altercations.
By Stephanie Birikorang
