A day's learning event aimed at strengthening the capacities of law enforcement agencies to effectively handle Gender- Based Violence (GBV) cases in the Northern Region has been held in Tamale.

It was organised by the Centre for Research and Development Alternatives (CREDA), an NGO, with funding support from STAR Ghana Foundation and Norsaac.
It formed part of the implementation of the Ending Violence and Abuse Project (EVAP), which is being carried out in the Sagnarigu, Nanumba South, and Kpandai Districts of the Northern Region.
It brought together key representatives of government agencies including leadership from the youth wing of Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) under the Federation of Disability Organizations (GFD).

Discussions focused on the challenges PwDs faced in those areas and strategies to address them.
The learning platform also provided an opportunity for the agencies to share their mandates, public engagement strategies, and special provisions they have made to better serve PwDs.

Mr Abukari Iddrisu, the Programme Manager at CREDA, said the event was to create a platform for key stakeholders to share experiences and lessons learnt in addressing GBV.

He highlighted the need for stronger collaboration amongst state agencies to ensure cases of violence particularly those involving young women and adolescent girls with disabilities, received the necessary attention.

He said, "This is part of our collective efforts to get key decision-makers committed to addressing issues of GBV amongst PWDs."
He also called for strategic partnerships amongst agencies mandated to handle GBV cases to ensure a more inclusive national development approach.

During the discussions, PWDs raised concerns about sexual harassment and rape, discrimination in accessing quality education and healthcare, unemployment, and violations of their fundamental human rights.

Mr Bruce Hammond, the Head of Social Welfare and Community Development at the Nanumba South District Assembly, said the Assembly, in collaboration with the Business Advisory Centre, had provided alternative income- generating opportunities for PWDs aimed at improving their well-being.
He said they had partnered the Ghana Health Service to procure medication to support mental health cases.

Mr Yaw Sarfo, the Kpandai District Director, Ghana Education Service, highlighted ongoing engagements with parents to encourage the enrollment of children with disabilities in schools.
He emphasised that discrimination, molestation, and stigma against PWDs were not tolerated in schools as efforts continued to ensure they stayed in school and complete their education.

Mr Inusah Iddrisu, the Principal Public Education Officer and Investigator at the Northern Regional Office of the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ), pointed out that many cases of abuse against PWDs went unreported due to lack of awareness about available support systems.

He said there was the need to intensify advocacy and education on the rights of PWDs and encouraged victims of abuse, discrimination, and marginalization to report such incidents to law enforcement agencies for appropriate action.