Law advocated to protect women, children from abuse

Accra, July 2, GNA - The Reverend Sam Korankye-Ankrah, Head Pastor of the Royal house Chapel International (RCI), has advocated the formation of an Association of Men in Defence of Women and Children, and the promulgation of stringent legislation to protect women and children from abuse.

He said it should be possible for men to be empowered to punish instantly any man in the neighbourhood who molested and battered his wife. "We should be able to take the cane and beat also the man that beats his wife in the neighbourhood," he said.

Addressing the opening of a five-day conference of the Royal Ladies Ministry, the Women's Wing of the Church, which is underway at Great Hall of the University of Ghana on Thursday, Reverend Korankye-Ankrah said the fight of ensuring the rights of women should not be left in the hands of women alone and urged peaceful, rational and responsible men to join in.

About 4,000 delegates, from the branches of the church and its affiliates in Ghana and other African countries including South Africa, as well the United Kingdom and the United States of America are attending the conference, on the theme: "Fruitfulness with fulfilment" The conference also marks the tenth anniversary of the Royal Ladies Ministries.

Rev Korankye-Ankrah said: "If Parliament does not ensure adequate protection of women, God will intervene."

"We need to defend and protect our women for our society to be blessed," Rev Korankye-Ankrah said.

He attributed the comparatively better development of European countries to better defence of the rights of women, saying those countries were prospering because they provided better protection of women in cases of battery, separation and quarrel.

"As we honour the women, God blesses us. If our society learns to honour women, God will bless it," Rev Korankye-Ankrah said. He spoke of increasing reports of violence against women and children, including butchering, pointing out that a society that did not have respect for women, had no defence and would not see the glory of God.

Ms Joyce Aryee, Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Chamber of Mines, delivering the keynote address, said women had been especially raised by God into his Kingdom, and urged Christians to lead Christ-like lives, for their way of living to draw people to Christ.

Mrs Rita Korankye-Ankrah, President of the Ministry said the Domestic Violence Bill when passed into law would improve the lot of women. She said there was hope for the Ghanaian woman and urged them to be submissive to their husbands.

Other speakers, including Ms Christine Churcher, Minister in Charge of Basic Education, Mrs Gifty Afenyi-Dadzie, former President of the Ghana Journalists' Association, Rev Christie Doe Tetteh of Solid Rock Chapel, Ghana and Rev Faith Ngwale, of Conquest for Christ Church in South Africa asked women to see hope at the end of the tunnel.

Reverend Ngwale said God was raising women in these times to fulfil a special purpose, and urged them to find the purpose and fulfil it. Mrs Afenyi-Dadzie described God as the mid-wife who would help women to give birth to their mission.

Prizes were distributed to members and associates who had rendered meritorious services to the Ministry.

Apart from praises, worship, testimonies and song ministrations, the conference would also feature sermons, to be delivered by Rev Korankye-Ankrah and Professor Stephen Adei, Rector and Director General of the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration. As part of the celebration, the women would also make a donation to the Women's Section of the James Fort Prison and visit a foster home for street girls.