Assistant Commissioner of Police Dennis Fiakpui, the Oti Regional Deputy Commander, has cautioned that persistent denial of sexual relations within marriage could constitute emotional abuse under Ghana’s Domestic Violence Act, 2007 (Act 732).
Speaking to the Ghana News Agency, ACP Fiakpui said the law recognizes emotional abuse as a punishable offence and applies equally to both spouses. He explained that a partner who deliberately withholds sex in a manner that causes emotional pain or distress to the other party could face prosecution, adding that offenders, upon conviction, risk a jail term of up to two years.
He stressed that the provision is not gender-specific, noting that men who deny their wives sex may also be reported to the police. ACP Fiakpui encouraged individuals who feel emotionally abused in their marriages to seek redress through the Domestic Violence and Victim Support Unit (DOVVSU).
He further explained that emotional abuse can manifest in several ways beyond sexual denial, including persistent neglect, refusal to share meals, or habitual late returns home that cause distress to a spouse.
The senior police officer urged couples to resolve marital issues through dialogue and mutual understanding but emphasized that the law provides protection where actions within a relationship cause emotional harm.