Ghana’s rape laws must protect male victims – Kasapa FM’s Akosua Gyambiby

EIB Network’s broadcast journalist and host of 'Ento Woa Da' on Kasapa FM, Akosua Ahwenepa Gyambiby, has called for an amendment to Ghana’s rape laws to recognise men as victims, following public debate over an alleged sexual assault involving an Uber driver and three women.

Akosua Gyambiby said Ghana’s rape laws were discriminatory and needed to be reviewed to ensure that men who experience sexual abuse receive legal recognition and protection.

She argued that the law should be amended to provide equal protection regardless of gender, while calling for broader public discussion about the experiences of male victims of sexual violence.

The issue was discussed on her 'Ento Woa Da' programme, which examined the legal definition of rape in Ghana and whether the existing legislation adequately protects men who experience sexual abuse.

Supporting the call for reform, private legal practitioner John Kwame Quayson also described Ghana’s rape laws as discriminatory, arguing that the existing provisions were inconsistent with the constitutional principle of equality.

“Ghana’s rape provision is gender-biased and discriminatory and needs to be amended. It breaches Article 17(2) of the 1992 Constitution. If other countries have amended their rape laws to include men, Ghana can do the same,” he said on the programme.

The discussion also featured online journalist and convener of Boys Lives Matter, Kobby Kyei, who questioned why men who experience sexual abuse are not recognised as rape victims under Ghanaian law.

“Many men experience sexual abuse daily, yet why can’t men be recognised as rape victims under Ghanaian law? Why does the conversation change when men are the victims?” he asked.

Mr Kyei’s comments added to the calls for a review of the law, highlighting the need for greater recognition of male victims and for their experiences to be given attention in conversations about sexual violence.