The Minister of Interior, Ambrose Dery, on behalf of H.E. the President of Ghana, inaugurates the One Stop Centre at the Ghana Police Headquarters in Accra, which offers survivors of gender-based violence access to comprehensive services.
He noted that, the DOVVSU One-Stop Centre is a state-of-the-art -facility that will enhance access to justice, psycho-social services and other services for survivors of domestic violence.
“The availability of the requisite services for survivors of domestic violence is crucial in the fight against domestic violence and addressing impunity” he added.
This one-stop Centre is going to provide services like investigations, social welfare services, legal aid, clinical psychology, counselling and court services hence the Centre has been designed to avoid secondary victimization.
He added that, the setting up of two child-friendly courts by the Chief Justice, Justice Kwasi Anin-Yeboah with funding from UNICEF Ghana also shows Ghana’s commitment to ensuring Justice for children within Ghana.
The Fight Against SGBV in Ghana
Ghana’s commitment to the protection of women and children from violence is evident in its ratification of international treaties and the subsequent incorporation into our laws” he said.
Hon. Ambrose Derry stated that, the Domestic Violence Act, 2007 (ACT 732), Children’s Act 1998 (ACT 560), Anti- Human Trafficking Act 2005 (Act 694), Criminal Offences ACT 1960 (Act 29) (as amended), among others.
He noted that, in 2018 the UN Secretary-General, António Guterres in his statement on International Women’s Day stated, “Achieving gender equality and empowering women and girls is the unfinished business of our time, and the greatest human rights challenge in our world”.
A statement I could not agree with more. Violence against women and girls is a human rights issue born out of unequal power dynamics that exist in society, he said.
This poses a major challenge to not just the health and personal development of the survivor but national development as well.
He added that, the negative effects of GBV on individuals and the state are dire, hence, the need for a holistic approach in dealing with domestic violence.
“The eradication or reduction of GBV is therefore critical in nation-building and that is why SDG Goals 5 is tied to achieving gender equality and empowering all women and girls” he said.
He stated that, as a gender activist and a one-time Chairperson of the African Union’s Committee on Gender and Development, “he fully endorse the Ghana Police Service’s agenda to expand the one-stop centre to all other parts of the country”.
Hon. Ambrose Derry ceased the opportunity to appeal to the donor community, individuals and corporate organisations to support DOVVSU when they come knocking on your doors.
The President commended The Police Administration for initiating this project, all former IGPs and the current IGP, Dr. George Akuffo Dampare, the CID Administration, the Director of DOVVSU, Chief Superintendent Owusuwaa Kyeremeh, UNICEF, the Australian High Commission, Kasapreko, AB and David, Plan International Ghana, Church of Latter-Day Saints, WAPCAS, Power of Worship International Church, individuals and other corporate institutions.
He also acknowledge Hon. Irene Addo who was instrumental in securing some funding from the District Assembly Common Fund.
“I am confident that the Police Administration will ensure that more of such centres are constructed across the country so that survivors of domestic violence will receive the needed justice and care and urge the Ghana Police Service to put this facility to good use and ensure that it is well maintained” President Akufo-Addo added.