The KASA! Project, implemented by Human Rights and Development Services (HURIDES) with funding from the African Women's Development Fund (AWDF), has highlighted significant challenges in prosecuting sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) cases in Ghana. A stakeholder meeting in Takoradi on March 14, 2026, revealed concerns over the lackadaisical attitude of some state prosecutors, which is contributing to case delays and low conviction rates.
According to verified reports from the Ghana News Agency, stakeholders, including representatives from the Domestic Violence and Victims Support Unit (DOVVSU), cited poor preparation of dockets and a lack of specialized training for prosecutors as key obstacles. This ineffective handling is reported to discourage survivors from pursuing legal action and perpetuates a culture of impunity for perpetrators.
The KASA! Project, which focuses on amplifying women's voices and access to justice, documented these findings as part of its ongoing monitoring and advocacy work. The project aims to strengthen accountability mechanisms within Ghana's justice system to better serve survivors of sexual violence.
Legal experts and women's rights advocates at the meeting called for urgent reforms, including mandatory continuous training for prosecutors on SGBV laws and improved collaboration between the police, prosecutors, and social services to ensure cases are handled with the required diligence and sensitivity.
