Ghanaian lawyer, gender activist, and the Executive Director of The Ark Foundation Ghana, Angela Dwamena Aboagye, has highlighted the alarming issue of intimate partner violence affecting countless women around the world.

 Speaking on the JoyNews' AM Show on Thursday, November 21, she stated, “Many women have experienced intimate partner violence, and it is crucial that we acknowledge the severity of this crisis.”

Mrs Angela further emphasized that “One out of three adult women in Ghana, in any type of relationship, have suffered abuse from their partners.” She expressed concern over the widespread nature of the issue, lamenting the impact it has on society as a whole.

She also pointed out that this issue is not a new one, noting that “the data has remained the same for the last ten years.”

Regarding potential solutions, Mrs Dwamena stressed the importance of improving the capacity of the ministry responsible for addressing gender-based violence. “If we are going to implement solutions effectively, the ministry’s capacity, ability, and skills must be the first thing to focus on,” she explained.

She further noted that for meaningful progress to be made, the government will need to assess both public and private sector involvement, as well as the role of traditional leaders, to ensure that women are included in all areas of leadership and governance. “This is a huge task, and without adequate capacity, it cannot be done,” she added.

The gender activist also highlighted the importance of coordination and resource mobilization. “Other institutions are already on the ground. If we can coordinate effectively and mobilize resources, we can achieve significant progress,” she said.

She stressed that the capacity of the Ministry of Gender, and the national machinery for women, is absolutely crucial to addressing gender equality and empowering women. “These are distinct but interconnected issues, and they all need to be enabled,” she concluded.