NPP UK Women’s Wing Condemns ‘Violence Against Women’ in Ablekuma North

Violence and abuse against women in any form are unacceptable and must be strongly condemned. Such acts undermine the principles of equality, justice, and human rights, and should have no place in any civilized society.

Violence and abuse manifest in various forms — including physical, verbal, sexual, and psychological — and it is important to note that, unfortunately, these forms of abuse are often normalized in our society. More worryingly, they are increasingly prevalent in politics, making the political space unattractive and unsafe for women.

The United Nations and various international organizations have consistently condemned violence against women through declarations, conventions, and resolutions. While many countries have ratified these international instruments and developed relevant laws and policies to prevent violence against women, challenges remain in their enforcement and effectiveness. Socio-cultural norms continue to perpetuate gender inequality and often contribute to the prevalence of violence against women worldwide.

In the United Kingdom, several laws and policies address violence against women, including the Domestic Abuse Act 2021, Equality Act 2010, and other legal frameworks designed to safeguard women against discrimination, harassment, abuse, and violence. Beyond these statutory protections, support services such as the National Domestic Violence Helpline and Women’s Aid are available to assist women experiencing abuse. These resources empower women and encourage them to actively participate in decision-making processes that impact national development.

In Ghana, the Domestic Violence Act of 2007 criminalizes all forms of abuse and violence against women.

However, harmful societal norms — such as the outdated belief that a woman’s place is in the kitchen — continue to linger in parts of our communities. This mindset is reinforced by our collective silence and inaction when violence is meted out to women. Although girl-child education has improved, the number of women participating in politics remains disappointingly low. One major deterrent is the violence and harassment women face daily in political spaces.

The horrific and barbaric attack on Honourable Mavis Hawa Koomson and other women during the recent election re-run at Ablekuma North is a stain on our national conscience. Honourable Koomson is not just an ordinary citizen; she is a former Member of Parliament and Cabinet Minister who has served Ghana with distinction. The attempt to lynch her by a mob of political thugs was appalling and disgraceful.

The NPP UK Women’s Wing condemns this act in the strongest possible terms and calls on His Excellency the President of Ghana and the security services to immediately identify and bring the perpetrators of this heinous crime to justice. We further urge civil society, the clergy, the media, traditional authorities, and all stakeholders to collectively condemn this barbaric act.

Additionally, we remind His Excellency President John Dramani Mahama that Ghana is a democracy, not a military regime. The identities of the thugs involved are known, as captured in multiple video footages.

We expect President Mahama to ensure that all culprits are brought to book and held accountable under the law.

Signed,
Patricia A. Boakye (Daakyehemaa)
Women’s Organizer, NPP-UK