Ghana Police Service has warned that denial of sexual relations within marriage could amount to emotional abuse under the country’s domestic violence laws.
The Assistant Commissioner of Police, Dennis Fiakpui, gave this warning while speaking with the Ghana News Agency, GNA.
He maintained that Ghana’s Domestic Violence Act 732 of 2007 recognises certain forms of conduct within intimate relationships as emotional abuse.
The cop explained that a spouse who deliberately withholds sex from their partner in a way that causes emotional distress may face legal consequences if a complaint is filed and the offence is proven in court.
“Denying your partner sex can amount to emotional abuse,” Fiakpui said.
According to Fiakpui, Oti Regional Deputy Police Commander, women who refuse their husbands sexual relations could be charged and, upon conviction, face up to two years’ imprisonment.
While noting that husbands who deny their wives sex could also be reported and investigated under the same legal provisions, the police officer stated that the law applies equally to both men and women,
“If your husbands refuse to eat your food and make you unhappy and cause you emotional pain, you can also report it to the police and if your husbands come home late and cause you to be unhappy, you can make a case,” he said.
Sex denial in marriage may attract two-year jail term – Ghana Police warn
