Wednesday, March 3, 2010

DOVVSU BOSS CONCERNED OVER SPOUSAL VIOLENCE (PAGE 34, MIRROR, JAN 30, 2010)

From George Ernest Asare, Bedwoase- Jacobu

The Ashanti Regional Co-ordinator of the Domestic Victims and Violence Support Unit (DOVVSU), Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) George Appiah- Sakyi, has expressed concern about the spate of violence against some spouses in the region.
He said some of these violence at times lead to death, creating problems for their surviving dependents .
He pointed out that perceived jealousy among spouses should not be used as an excuse to visit any form of violence on partners, stressing that such actions traumatise the children, making it difficult for them to adjust to life and develop their potentials.
Mr Appiah –Sakyi made the remarks when he visited the family members of the late Yaa Atia, alias Yaa Baby, at the family house at Bedwoase, near Jacobu in the Amansie Central District of the Ashanti Region.
The husband of the 35-year-old woman, Mr Akwasi Tabi, is alleged to have shot the wife with a single barrel gun on Sunday, January 24, 2010 before committing suicide by also blowing off his head with the same gun
The couple left behind six children whose ages ranged from four to 17.
The eldest of the children, Yaa Adoma is 17 years old, followed by Abena Frimpomaa who is 15 years of age.
The rest, Maame Ama, Maame Yaa, Kwadwo Fosu and Yaw Enoch are 12, nine, seven and four years, respectively.
Mr Appiah -Sakyi said initial investigations revealed that Mr Akwasi Tabi, who was about 50 years old, suffered a mild stroke which rendered him impotent.
He said prior to their death, Tabi regularly fought with his wife by accusing her of flirting with young men in the community .
He said it was one of such accusations that caused Mr Tabi to shoot the wife before committing suicide.
“ This was a case of matrimonial jealousy which led to the death of the couple, creating problems for their six children”, he noted, adding that “such jealousies should not be a defence for any form of violence”.
He advised couples who cannot handle such jealousies to involve family members or separate as a way of cooling tempers instead of violently attacking each other.
Mr Appiah-Sakyi appealed to the family members to take good care of the six children by sponsoring their education to enable them develop their potentials.
He also appealed to the District Assembly, institutions, corporate bodies and individuals to come to the aid of the children by offering them scholarships to enable them develop their potentials and build their capacity in a more meaningful way to enhance their integration into society.
Mr Appiah -Sakyi and his entourage donated GH¢100 to the children during the visit.

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