By: Kenneth Appiah Bani
Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Dennis Fiakpui has stated that under Ghana’s Domestic Violence Act, the deliberate denial of sex to a partner could amount to emotional abuse and, in certain circumstances, attract criminal sanctions.
Speaking during a public education engagement on domestic violence, ACP Fiakpui explained that the law recognises emotional and psychological harm as forms of abuse, alongside physical and sexual violence. He noted that persistent and intentional refusal of intimacy within a relationship, when used as a tool to punish, control, or emotionally distress a partner, may fall within the scope of emotional abuse as defined by law.
According to ACP Fiakpui, the Domestic Violence Act, 2007 (Act 732), prohibits conduct that causes emotional, verbal, or psychological harm, including behaviour that intimidates, humiliates, or undermines the dignity of a partner. “When sex is deliberately denied not for genuine reasons such as health or mutual understanding, but as a means of manipulation or punishment, it can constitute emotional abuse,” he said.
He was quick, however, to clarify that the law does not criminalise consent or personal choice. “Every individual has the right to bodily autonomy. The issue arises when refusal becomes a consistent pattern intended to cause emotional harm or exert control over a partner,” ACP Fiakpui explained.
The senior police officer urged couples to prioritise communication and mutual respect in resolving intimate issues, stressing that domestic violence laws are meant to protect victims from abuse in all its forms, not to police healthy personal boundaries. He also encouraged victims of emotional and psychological abuse to report such cases to the Domestic Violence and Victim Support Unit (DOVVSU) of the Ghana Police Service.
ACP Fiakpui’s remarks have sparked public debate, with some legal analysts calling for broader public education on the interpretation of the Domestic Violence Act to prevent misconceptions. Others argue that his comments highlight the often-overlooked impact of emotional abuse within intimate relationships.
The Domestic Violence Act provides for penalties including fines and imprisonment for persons found guilty of domestic abuse, depending on the severity of the offence. Authorities continue to stress that each case is assessed on its specific facts and circumstances.
As discussions continue, the police say their focus remains on protecting vulnerable persons, promoting healthy relationships, and ensuring that the law is applied fairly and responsibly.
