Bolgatanga: Stakeholders in the Upper East Region have reiterated calls for the establishment of shelters and improved coordination among institutions delivering essential services for survivors of Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV).
According to Ghana News Agency, the stakeholders renewed the calls during a regional review meeting on the implementation of the Essential Services Package (ESP) for women and girls subjected to SGBV. The project is being implemented by the Department of Gender, in collaboration with the Upper East Regional Coordinating Council (RCC), with funding support from the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA).
The meeting brought together representatives from the Ghana Health Service (GHS), Ghana Education Service (GES), Judicial Service, Domestic Violence and Victim Support Unit (DOVVSU), Legal Aid Commission, Department of Social Welfare, Ghana Prison Service, and civil society organisations. Mr James Twene, the Acting Upper East Regional Director of the Department of Gender, said the meeting aimed to review progress under the ESP, identify gaps in service provision, and strengthen coordination among service providers.
He noted that upon a series of presentations from the stakeholders, there were rising cases of child marriage and teenage pregnancy, limited coordination between agencies, and the absence of safe shelters for victims. He explained that without a shelter, survivors often remained in the same environment as their abusers, posing risks to their safety and recovery from the trauma and abuse they had experienced.
Mr Twene also called for improved data sharing among stakeholders, noting that understaffing in some institutions affects documentation and reporting, which limits effective service delivery and public education. A presentation by Ms Charity Tanni, Health Information Officer at the Regional Health Directorate, revealed that 2,436 girls aged 10 to 19 became pregnant in the region between January and May 2025.
The Bawku West District recorded the highest number with 372 cases, followed by Pusiga with 276, Bongo with 212, Talensi with 210, Kassena Nankana West with 198, and Kassena Nankana Municipality with 196. The Bolgatanga East recorded the least with 52 teenage pregnancies. Ms Tanni described the trend as alarming and called for intensified education and advocacy against teenage pregnancy and child marriage.
Ms Yvonne Wonchua, UNFPA Focal Person at the RCC, emphasised the need for strong linkages among ESP actors, including GES, DOVVSU, health services, judicial authorities, social welfare, and CSOs. 'Each case involves multiple institutions. That's why coordination and timely referrals are critical,' she stated.
She supported the call for a shelter, stressing that survivors needed secure spaces for emotional and physical recovery, emphasising that earlier efforts to repurpose unused government buildings stalled due to high renovation costs. 'All stakeholders have a role to play in advocating for shelter. Funding is limited, but with engagement, we may find support from partners,' she added.
