UNFPA TRAINS DOVVSU PROSECUTORS

UNFPA TRAINS DOVVSU PROSECUTORS

The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) in collaboration with Domestic Violence  and Victim Support Unit (DOVVSU) of the Criminal Investigation Department of the Ghana Police Service on Monday, October 29, 2018 began a two-day training on Sexual and Gender Based Violence (SGBV) case prosecution for about twenty two (22) selected prosecutors at the Crystal Palm Hotel, Tesano-Accra.

Participants drawn from selected DOVVSU prosecution units in the Ghana Police Service were taken through topics such as understanding of SGBV/DV, Forensic Investigations and Electronic Evidence, Drafting of Charge Sheets and how to build a good docket, prosecuting SGBV cases effectively and efficiently,  leading evidence in court and Psychological effects of SGBV victims.

In her opening remarks, Director/Legal and Prosecutions/CID, on behalf of the Director General/CID, DCOP/Mrs. Maame Yaa Tiwaa Addo-Danquah said due to the changing trends of crime and the fact that evidence is the most needed prerequisite for prosecution of all cases, it has become necessary for such a training course for prosecutors.

She thanked the UNFPA for partnering the Criminal Investigation Department in training of the personnel.

Supt. Evelyn Borbor representing National DOVVSU Coordinator said, the time has come for prosecutors of DOVVSU to be trained and retrained in DOVVSU related cases in order to be able to perform their task as prosecutors to be able to win cases in court.

At the closing ceremony on Tuesday October 30, 2018, the Director General/CID, DCOP/Mrs. Maame Yaa Tiwaa Addo Danquah urged personnel of Criminal Investigation Department of the Ghana Police Service urged prosecutors to make good use of the knowledge they acquire in the prosecution of SGBV trainings to impact on their profession.

She said proper evidence gathering and leading evidence in court needs prosecutors who are well trained in the profession to win cases. Adding, failure to prosecute SGBV cases increases victim’s pains.

The UNFPA Assistant Country Representative, Mr. Amadu Bawa expressed satisfaction about the interest participants took in the training, adding that it demonstrates the readiness of prosecutors to effectively and efficiently prosecute offenders of SGBV cases.

He assured the Criminal Investigation Department of UNFPA’s support in the area of training of personnel in the prosecution of SGBV cases and other population related areas.

He used the occasion to assure CID the UNFPA readiness to increase the duration of the course in the next session as requested by course participants.

The programme was attended by the Director-General/CID, DCOP/Mrs. MYT Addo-Danquah, Director/Legal & Prosecutions/CID, C/Supt/Mrs. Elizabeth Vinney, Supt. Evelyn Borbor of DOVVSU Secretariate, UNFPA Rep. Mr. Amadu Bawa.

Public Affairs Unit/CID HQRS