The Director of the Domestic Violence and Victims Support Unit (DOVVSU), Chief Superintendent Owusuaa Kyeremeh has revealed that fathers who shirk their responsibilities towards their children could be jailed.
According to the director, there is a law that allows such parents to be jailed for at least 3 months.
She stated that the Children Act (Act 500) stipulates that fathers who neglect their children could be jailed at least three months.
Speaking in an interview on Agoo TV, she explained that if a mother reports to DOVVSU that her children’s father is not taking care of the children, DOVVSU will quickly file a case to the Family Tribunal (court), where the said father will be advised to ensure the wellbeing of the child/children.
"If a father fails to comply with the Family Tribunal’s order of providing for the children, DOVVSU will take the matter up to the criminal court, where the children’s father will be fined or jailed for not more than 12 months, if found guilty of the offence (Clause 15 of ACT 560)," she added.
She further stated that pursuing such cases is the main priority of DOVVSU. According to Chief Supt. Owusua, fathers who neglect their children are top of DOVVSU’s data, hence entreated single mothers to report irresponsible fathers to their outfit for investigation and prosecution.