06/10/2023
Ghanaian security forces are working together with their Spanish counterparts to strengthen the prevention of crime in the family environment
Family photo
Ghana is experiencing an increase in family-related crime. In addition, violence is a factor in radicalisation and there has also been an increase in the danger of radicalisation among minors due to increased internet connectivity.
For two weeks, in the framework of the NORPREVSEC project, training activities have been carried out in the Ghanaian cities of Accra and Tamale with the aim of strengthening the work of the Ghanaian police in the prevention and awareness of crimes in the family environment.
The participants agreed that it is very important and necessary to work together in the fight against this situation that is undermining the basis of society. In addition, it is important to raise awareness among the population.
During the two weeks, the importance of a single database for all law enforcement agencies to share and standardise information on the cases they are working on was also discussed. The aim is to link all the security agencies in the five regions of Northern Ghana.
The representative of the Ministry of National Security specified as a priority the prevention of gender-based crimes and the expansion of the gender perspective in accordance with the country’s National Security Strategy. These activities have led to a review of the normative framework, specific legislation and the concept of violence, both physical and psychological.
Experts from the Family and Women’s Care Unit (UFAM) of the Spanish National Police attended the training sessions where they handed out two manuals to the participants and were able to share the structure and functions of the Unit with its operations and protocols for the different cases they work on. They also carried out a simulation exercise where they were able to demonstrate the dynamics for responding to the victim both in the first phase and in the phase prior to the start of the police procedure.
After these training sessions, it was concluded that it is essential to give a gender perspective to all training and to raise awareness among the staff of all security agencies. In addition, it is worth noting that links have been established with the security agencies in both Accra and Tamale.
