Ghana Police: Denying Partner Intimacy Could Result in Criminal Charges Under Domestic Violence Law

Assistant Commissioner of Police Dennis Fiakpui, the Oti Regional Deputy Commander, has provided clarity on provisions within Ghana's Domestic Violenc...e Act 732 of 2007. Speaking to the Ghana News Agency, ACP Fiakpui explained that the law's definition of emotional abuse could encompass situations where a spouse consistently withholds intimacy from their partner, potentially resulting in prosecution. 

According to Fiakpui, both men and women found guilty under these provisions could face up to two years imprisonment. The senior officer further noted that other behaviors causing emotional distress within marriages—such as a spouse refusing to eat meals prepared by their partner or consistently returning home late—could also be reported to the Domestic Violence and Victim Support Unit (DOVVSU) for investigation. Legal experts have urged couples to seek counseling and open communication before resorting to formal complaints, emphasizing that the law is designed to protect individuals from genuine patterns of emotional abuse rather than resolve ordinary marital disagreements.