Relationship failures and misunderstandings between couples and family members should not justify the murder or abuse of women, the National Commission for Civic Education(NCCE) has urged.
This is in connection with the growing attacks, abuse and murder of women mostly being seen on both traditional and social media.
Although not new, in 2023 alone, the killing of women by their partners has been on a rise.
A Policeman who is expected to protect civilians, Inspector Ahmed Twumasi who is also a husband killed his girlfriend, 26-year-old Victoria Dapaah also known as Maa Adwoa on 20th April 2023 at Adum, a few meters away from her house.
Recently, it was reported that a Ghanaian man in the United States of America identified as Kwabena Michael Amoako shot his wife and killed himself in an attempted murder-suicide after she said she was leaving him for another man here in Ghana.
Just on Saturday, June 17, 2023, a jilted lover allegedly killed his girlfriend in Trom, a suburb of Koforidua in the Eastern Region and it also alleged that the victim had been in the process of breaking up with the suspect and had recently relocated to her current location.
Aside from causing fear and panic, these killings have sparked a lot of conversations in the media space with some men and women condemning the act.
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Reacting to the above killings in a statement, the NCCE observed with apprehension a growing trend of attacks, abuse and murder of women, as reported in the media.
“Relationship failures and misunderstandings between couples and family members cannot justify the murder or abuse of women. The right to life is a fundamental human right for all human beings and no one has the right to take the life of another,” it stated.
The NCCE cited Chapter 5 of the 1992 Constitution of Ghana which states the rights and freedoms enjoyed by citizens and these rights are enshrined in the Constitution.
It added that,”Among the rights is Article 12(2) which clearly states that ‘Every person in Ghana, whatever his race, place of origin, political opinion, colour, religion, creed or gender shall be entitled to the fundamental human rights and freedoms of the individual contained in this Chapter (5) but subject to respect for the rights and freedoms of others and for the public interest.’ Perpetrators of these recent abuses against women and young girls especially must be mindful of this Constitutional Provision and the fact that no one should intentionally deprive a person of his life. A person’s right to life must be respected and considered a civic obligation.”
The NCCE attributed the incidences of abuse against women to the decline and breakdown in family values, and national and cultural values in our social life.
NCCE advised Parents, guardians, educators and caregivers to begin to support Civic Education efforts in nurturing young citizens with values such as respect for the rights of others, tolerance of others’ points of view, honesty and responsibility.
Meanwhile, it stated that it will continue to intensify public education on fundamental human rights and national values with a view to changing the narrative on human rights abuses and respect for human life.
“As we commiserate with families of victims of human rights abuses, the Commission calls on the Ghana Police Service and other justice sector stakeholders to swiftly bring the perpetrators to book,” it stated.
NCCE added that,”Perpetrators must face severe consequences to serve as a deterrent to other citizens who at the slightest provocation unleash harm on women and girls and abuse them with great disregard for their rights as human beings.”
It also underscored the need to work together with women groups and activists to empower young women and discourage them from tolerating abusive relationships.
“Ghana has a National Gender and Children Policy put together by the Ministry of Gender and Social Protection. The national policy on gender highlights the rights, social protection, liberties and freedoms of women, men and children. State actors must rely on this document to meet the needs of women. Let’s respect the human rights of citizens, it’s our civic responsibility,” NCCE stated.
Ghana | Atinkaonline.com | Porcia Oforiwaa Ofori