Although Ghana has laws against Domestic Violence and sexual abuse, serious gaps in funding and implementation continue to undermine protection for survivors, especially women.

This concern was raised on Ghana YEnsom morning show on Accra 100.5 FM, hosted by Chief Jerry Forson.

Speaking on the programme, Ms. Rebecca Teiko Sarbah, a Programme Officer at the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA–Ghana), explained where the system often fails in practice.

Ms. Sarbah noted that Ghana’s Domestic Violence Act was passed in 2007, a moment that brought great hope to women across the country.

FIDA and other stakeholders worked extensively to promote and support the law.

However, it took more than a decade—until around 2020—before the government began allocating funds to the Domestic Violence Fund (DVF), which is critical for making the law effective.

According to her, the inconsistency in funding has been one of the biggest challenges.

In 2021, the government announced an allocation of GHS1 million to the DVF, but that amount was not released.

In 2022, GHS2 million was budgeted and fully released to the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection.

In 2023, the allocation dropped back to GHS1 million, of which only about 68 percent was released.

In 2024, the budget increased to GHS2.7 million, but just 29 percent was actually disbursed.

“For 2025, only about GHS337,000 has been released to serve the entire country,” she said.

Ms. Sarbah stressed that such an amount is grossly inadequate to support domestic violence survivors nationwide.

The fund is expected to cater for shelters, education, skills training, hospital bills, counselling, and other essential services.

“If you give just GHS337,000, how many shelters can be built?

How many survivors can receive medical care, education, or training?” she questioned.

She added that FIDA continues to advocate for free legal and medical services for domestic violence survivors, especially for those who need shelter but have nowhere to turn.

While acknowledging efforts by the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection—such as the establishment of Domestic Violence and Victim Support Units (DOVVSU) and one-stop centres—she emphasised that much more needs to be done.

Ms. Sarbah revealed that FIDA has developed 10 position papers highlighting these concerns.

She commended Ghana for passing the law, but insisted that a law without consistent funding cannot work effectively.

“We are saying the government must make it mandatory to adequately and consistently fund the Domestic Violence Fund,” she stated.

“This is how we can truly protect women, support survivors, care for our children, and strengthen Ghana as a whole.”

She concluded by noting that women form a significant part of Ghana’s population and play a critical role in sustaining families and the nation, making it even more important to ensure they are protected by laws that work in practice, not just on paper.

She took the opportunity to thank the African Women Development Fund, UNDP and UNFPA for the support