DOVVSU adopts strategic plan for improvement

by Helena Selby

The Deputy Minister of Interior, Dr. Kwasi Apea-Kubi has indicated that government is desirous to intensify public education against negative socio-cultural practices that discriminate against women. Additionally, other relevant legislations will be enacted to safeguard the dignity of women and create conditions to propel their advancement.

The Deputy Minister of Interior said these in recognition of the need to protect the rights of the vulnerable, especially women and children in society. Speaking at the launch of a Strategic Plan for the Domestic Violence and Victim Support Unit (DOVVSU) of the Ghana Police Service for 2010-2015 in Accra, Dr. Kwasi Apea-Kubi, noted that DOVVSU needed support from all citizens to make women and children feel valued, safe and protected in society society.

The purpose of the plan is to communicate the mission of the Unit, assist management in decision making and to set the basis for evaluating the performance of the Unit. It will also serve as an opportunity for the Unit to collate ideas of good intervention practices to provide a framework for the Unit to collaborate with other agencies and service providers.

The strategic plan, according to him, will go a long way to help prevent, protect and prosecute crimes of violence, abuse, neglect of the vulnerable in society. He mentioned that completely eradicating cases of domestic violence in the society will demand citizen's collective responsibility and ownership of the strategic plan.

The Inspector General of Police, Mr. Paul Quaye, pointed out that the Unit has been embarking on advocacy programme to sensitize the public to act cautiously and responsibly, in order to avoid conditions that encourage domestic violence and child abuse.

According to him, the police administration would encourage DOVVSU to continue with its anti-domestic violence campaign to enable more Ghanaians to better appreciate the import of the Children's Act 560 of 1998, Domestic Violence Act 732 of 2007, and Juvenile Justice Act 653 of 2003.

He emphasized that the unit has lived up to expectation since its formation, which is why it became the winner of the President's silver medal award for public sector performance during Ghana's 50th independence anniversary celebration.

He pointed out that despite its immense performance, the Police force and other stakeholders such as the United Nations Food and Population Agency (UNFPA) and United Nation's International Children's Educational Fund (UNICEF), there was still much to be done.

He complained that the Unit faces the problem of office accommodation which is causing over-crowding in the few available offices. He brought to notice that over the years the unit had expanded its manpower strength from about 20, since its establishment in 1998 to over 230, but has not seen a corresponding improvement in terms of infrastructure.

On her part, the Minister of Women and Children Affairs (MOWAC), Honourable Akua Sena Dansua noted that the focus of DOVVSU on victim support correspond to the vision of MOWAC, creating an environment where domestic violence is freely reported and that it is an undeniable fact that the unit is working to meet its vision and mandate in the face of numerous challenges.

In a speech read by Miss Nancy Dzah on her behalf, she made an assurance that even though the Ministry cannot satisfy all their regional and district offices, it will satisfy about 90% of their offices.