Reduced dowry to discourage husbands molesting wives

Mrs Angelina Baiden-Amissah, Member of Parliament for Shama, on Friday called on society not to demand heavy dowry from "would be" husbands as a measure to stop the impression that women were commodities.

Mrs Baiden-Amissah in a statement in Parliament to mark International Women's Day, which was celebrated in Ghana under the theme: "A year of Women, Peace and Security," she explained that the bride price that men pay was only a sign of commitment, saying it was rather disheartening that some men take it as buying the women and, therefore, regard them as commodities.

Mrs Baiden-Amissah said there was the need to register customary marriages to prevent inconveniences that might arise in the sharing of property of a spouse. It was unfortunate that at this time that Ghana was celebrating her 45 years of Independence shameful, gruesome murders and acts of suicide have hit the country and in less than a month, four men have shot and killed their wives, she observed.

Mrs Baiden-Amissah said Ghanaians could not boast of peace and security when the women were not free to go about their duties without being murdered and could not make meaningful contributions in the home without men stamping their authority on them.

The shooting of spouse's and their partners and committing suicide afterwards had negative effects on the immediate and extended families since children were left behind without proper care. "Orphans and families left behind would forever live with the stigma, which may have psychological effects on especially the children's development", she said.

Mrs Baiden-Amisah said it was sad that culture encourages men to be sexually promiscuous but a woman has no right even to greet a male friend. Parents should to ensure that their children were educated before entering into marriage.

Mrs Hanna Tetteh Kpodar, NDC-Awutu-Senya, called for a change of the people's social attitude to crime adding that most often cases of rape were not made issues for prosecution but the parties agree to settle the case at the community and home level.

Mrs Gifty Eugenia Kusi, NPP- Tarkwa- Nsuaem, said in the Ghanaian tradition the man was supposed to be the head of the family but of late they have lost that responsibility and have allowed all forms of abuse, women battering, child abuse, violence and rape to be freely be the vogue of the day.

Mrs Edith Hazel, NDC- Evalue-Gwira, said most men in high executive positions often discouraged, women who aspired to go in for high positions in politics. Such men do whatever they could to discredit women to the electorate.

She said the time had come for women to untie and come together and be non-partisan in their demand for the implementation of the right acts to protect women and children and to support the Domestic Violence Bill.

Mrs Cecilia Amoah, NPP-Asutifi South, said the recent acts of violence against women had filled Ghanaian women with fear and they fell insecured even in their matrimonial homes. She, therefore, pleaded with men to change their attitude towards women and try to be patient with them by being responsible husbands.