Executives of Muslim Family Counseling Services (MFCS) have registered a strong displeasure against settling of cases related to Sexual and Gender-Based violence at home.
They have urged stakeholders, especially traditional authorities and faith leaders to exercise a strong opposition against it by directing such cases to the police for the prosecution of perpetrators.
Director for MFCS, Mohammed Bun Bida has stated that, the erra where such cases were handled by Chiefs in the palace and by family members is no more.
Giving more credence to the aforementioned, Bun Bida said under that system, perpetrators are often left off the hook when relatives of victims are persuaded by convincing pleas and tokens of compensation from the offender.
Bun Bida made the above call at a training workshop for faith and traditional actors on a gender transformative campaign, that seeks to address Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) and promote Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR).
 
The workshop was held in Kumasi at the central mosque on Thursday.
It formed part of a 7-month German Development Cooperation funded project called; “Support to Human Rights, Gender Equality and Civil Society (SHE) project.
Turning up at the training were; Chief Musah Akambonga (Deputy Public Relations Officer for National Council of Zongo Chief, Nana Ogyam Amankwah (Nifahene of Kumasi Agogo) and a selected number of religious leaders within Asokore Mampong Municipality.
Adding his voice to the call, Chief Musah Akambonga, who doubles as the traditional head of Frafras in Ashanti region also kicked against out-of-court settlement and interference of sexual and gender based violence cases by traditional leaders.
He believes that, offenders must not be spared but should be allowed to experience the consequences of their evil deeds.
“They must be reported to the police immediately.
Arresting and prosecuting them will serve as a strong caution to others.”, he noted.
Nana Ogyam Amankwah, also expressed support for the two opinions, saying settling SGBV cases at home is a great barrier to the fight against the menace.
He urged witnesses and victims to report related cases immediately to the police without fear or favor.
Workshop
At the workshop, participants were enlightened on the types of SGBV, Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights, components of SRHR, among others.
The training allowed participants to engage in group activities, that enhanced learning and collaboration.
Project
Objective of the 7-month project is reducing SGBV within the Asokore Mampong Municipality by involving multi-faith and community leadership in gender transformative campaigns, enhancing awareness and strengthening survivors support systems.
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