Action Aid Ghana commends Police for taking swift action against “romantic” officer

Action Aid Ghana says it has been keenly following proceedings on the alleged sexual harassment case involving a police officer in Sunyani in the Bono region and wishes to commend the Ghana Police Service for taking swift actions to ensure the law is enforced and safety of Ghanaians especially women is protected.

The group in a statement noted that, “As an organization that has been working over the last 30 years to eliminate violence against women and protect women from sexual harassment and assault, we believe that this alleged breach of Sections 84 and 103 of the Criminal Offences Act 29, which deals with assault and indecent assault respectively, should be pursued with all seriousness and alacrity.”

It added that, “We have analysed statistics from the Domestic Violence and Victim Support Unit (DoVVSU) of the Ghana Police Service which indicates that as of August 2021, 31.9% of women have faced at least one form of domestic violence -physical, economic, psychological, social or sexual.”
The organization according the statement is concerned about the increasing rate of violence, harassment and assault against women and girls, adding that it is worrying that such incidences are sometimes perpetrated by officers mandated to protect people.
“It is unfortunate that this case comes at a time that the world is observing this year’s 16-days activism against Gender-based violence” the statement reads.

Below is the full statement