Accra: The Women’s Forum of the Ghana Bar Association (GBA) has expressed its commitment to collaborate with Essential Service Providers in the Upper West Region to support the prosecution of perpetrators of Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) in the area. The Forum recommended that its wing in the Upper West Region should be included as part of the team of Essential Service Providers to help strengthen inter-agency collaboration.
According to Ghana News Agency, Mrs. Sheila Minkah-Premo, the President of the GBA Women’s Forum, announced this initiative during a visit to the Gyinsung Shelter for survivors of SGBV to assess the operations of the facility. A statement by Madam Charity Batuure, the Upper West Regional Director of the Department of Gender, mentioned that the visit was part of the Forum’s activities during the GBA Annual Conference held in Wa in September 2025.
The GBA Women’s Forum team, led by its President, engaged with members of the Essential Service Providers, who currently manage the Gyinsung Shelter for Survivors of SGBV. The discussions focused on the management of survivors and the overall operations of the Shelter. The engagement provided an opportunity for the team to learn about how the Essential Service Providers handle SGBV cases, their initiatives and achievements, and the challenges faced in running the Shelter.
The Forum expressed satisfaction with the management of the Shelter and appreciated the efforts of the Essential Service Providers in addressing SGBV and promoting gender equality and equity in the region. The statement also noted that the Forum donated an undisclosed amount of money to support the management of the Shelter.
Madam Batuure thanked the GBA Women’s Forum for their visit and support, describing it as a commitment to securing justice for survivors of abuse. She highlighted that the engagement was a valuable opportunity to address challenges faced by the Department and other Social Service Providers in seeking justice for SGBV survivors. Madam Batuure expressed hope that the visit would strengthen collaboration to ensure fairness and justice for all, including SGBV survivors.