The Brong Ahafo Presbytery of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana (PCG), has expressed worry over the growing cases of domestic violence and spousal killings in the region.

Addressing stakeholders, including Christian, Muslim, and Traditional Religious leaders, and Youth Associations at a symposium, the Presbytery chairman, Rev. Benjamin Appiah, indicated that the church has a significant role to ensure the society is free from such acts.

The symposium was held in Sunyani under the theme, “The causes and effects of domestic violence and serial killing of spouses in recent times and how to eradicate this menace.”

This comes after the Bono Regional Minister, Justina Owusu Banahene, in 2022, told the Bono Regional House of Chiefs that spousal murders are on the rise.

“It will interest you to know that, between June to November 30th 2022, we’ve had 17 deaths as a result of spousal murders," she stated.

She said the lack of appreciation for what marriage is about has contributed to attacks on each other with the least provocation, hence the need for stakeholders to offer proper counselling before partners enter into marriage.

This among other reported cases, caused the Brong-Ahafo Presbytery to organize the symposium to shed light on the underlying causes and consequences of domestic violence and the alarming trend of spousal serial killings.

The symposium also focused on discussing effective strategies and solutions to eliminate this harmful and destructive phenomenon from society.

Rev. Benjamin Appiah highlighted the church's responsibility to promote love, respect, and healthy relationships among its members.

“The killings are becoming too much, a situation that affects women and children mostly”, he said, adding that “we must also step up by educating people to minimize, if not eradicate, what is going on in recent times in marriages."

By providing guidance, counselling, and support, he said the church can contribute to creating an environment where domestic violence is not tolerated and individuals can live in peace and harmony.

Inspector Bright Asare, with the Domestic Violence and Victims Support Unit (DOVSU) of the Ghana Police Service, strongly advised couples to seek immediate professional guidance when they notice unusual behaviours from their partners, especially from state institutions mandated to handle such cases.

He mentioned some of the signs include continuous anger, denial of participation in social and church activities, and comments such as “death before divorce”, “if I can’t have you, no one will have you”, “you belong to me and no one”, if you ever leave me, I will kill you and kill myself” and “I can’t live without you”.

He called on churches and other religious bodies to organize programmes to orient their members on the causes, effects and how to overcome domestic violence.

Johnson Mawuli Tsagli, Director of Public Education at the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ), encouraged couples to treat each other with respect and dignity.

Queen mother of Odumase No.1 and a representative of the Bono Regional Queenmothers Association, Nana Yaa Adansi Poduo, urged couples to seek guidance from God when they face challenges.