Four of the Safe Spaces are located in Tamale in the Northern Region, while one has been established in Walewale in the North East Region. 

The initiative forms part of efforts to strengthen community-based response systems and provide survivor-centred services, including psychosocial support, referrals, and protection for vulnerable women and girls. 

Speaking to the Ghana News Agency (GNA) during a monitoring visit to some of the facilities, Hajia Alima Sagito Saeed, Executive Director of SWIDA-Ghana, said the establishment of the safe spaces demonstrated the organisation’s unwavering commitment to promoting the rights, dignity, and wellbeing of survivors. 

She explained that prior to the operationalisation, SWIDA-Ghana organised comprehensive training for Safe Space Coordinators and selected service providers to equip them with the requisite knowledge and skills to manage sensitive cases. 

“The training focused on survivor-centred approaches, Psychological First Aid, confidentiality and ethical standards, disability inclusion, referral pathways, documentation procedures, and Sexual and Gender-Based Violence response mechanisms,” she said. 

Hajia Saeed noted that the capacity-building initiative had significantly strengthened the ability of coordinators and service providers to respond effectively and sensitively to survivors’ needs. 

“As an organisation, we believe that survivors deserve spaces where they feel safe, heard, and respected. These Safe Spaces are designed to restore dignity and ensure that no survivor walks alone in their journey to healing,” she stated. 

As part of routine supervision, a monitoring team from SWIDA-Ghana visited four of the Safe Spaces during the month of February 2026. 

The facilities visited included Bilpiela Health Center, Choggu Health Center, the Planned Parenthood Association of Ghana (PPAG), and the Total Life Enhancement Centre Ghana (TOLECGH). 

The visit aimed to assess utilisation levels, provide supportive supervision, and gather feedback from service providers to improve service delivery. 

Mr Peter Amadu Mintir, Executive Director of TOLECGH, a psychology-focused organisation providing mental health and psychosocial support, underscored the importance of integrating mental health services into Safe Space interventions. 

He said many survivors of Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) experienced trauma, anxiety, and depression, which required structured psychosocial support. 

“At TOLEC Ghana, we recognise that healing goes beyond physical safety. Survivors need professional mental health support to process trauma and rebuild their lives.The Safe Space model creates an enabling environment where survivors can access counselling and psychosocial services without fear of stigma,” Mr Mintir stated. 

He commended SWIDA-Ghana for prioritising training in Psychological First Aid and referral systems, noting that such measures ensured that survivors received comprehensive and coordinated care. 

The monitoring team also received constructive suggestions from service providers, including the need for intensified community awareness creation and additional informational materials to increase utilisation of the Safe Spaces. 

Hajia Saeed reiterated that sustained community engagement would be critical to ensuring that more survivors were aware of and able to access the services. 

“Together with our partners and communities, we can build an environment where women and girls feel protected, supported and empowered to speak out. Safe Spaces are not just physical structures; they are symbols of hope and justice,” she said.