When marriage becomes a battleground: A call to end marital abuse

By Peter Justice GARIBA

The recent video circulating on social media—showing a man violently abusing his naked wife—has shaken the nation. I wept bitterly watching it, not just because of the cruelty on display, but because it exposed, once again, the deep wounds that many women suffer behind closed doors. It was not simply a case of one man’s brutality; it was a mirror held up to our society, revealing a crisis we have refused to confront with the urgency it deserves.

Marital abuse in Ghana is not new. It is whispered about, covered up, minimized, or explained away under the guise of culture, religion, and “what society will say.” Too many women endure torture, humiliation, and emotional destruction in the name of preserving the marriage. Too many children grow up watching violence modeled as love. And too many perpetrators walk freely because communities choose silence over accountability.

This must end.

This can end.

And it must begin now.

1. Ghana must rise against marital abuse

Marital abuse is not a private matter. It is a crime. And like every crime, it demands intervention. We must rise collectively—families, communities, state institutions—against the systems that normalize or excuse domestic violence. Abuse hidden behind the façade of marriage is still abuse, and victims deserve protection, not judgment.

2. Report abusers—silence is complicity

When we fail to report abusers, we give them permission to continue. The police must be the first point of action, not the last. Too often, victims are told to “go home and settle it,” or “think of the children.” But we cannot settle violence. We cannot negotiate with brutality. Ghanaian citizens must take responsibility: when you witness abuse, report it. When someone confides in you, support them. Every unreported case is another life at risk.

3. Opinion leaders must stop shielding perpetrators

Traditional authorities, community leaders, church elders, and family heads must understand that protecting an abuser is a betrayal of the vulnerable. Too many times, abusers are shielded because they are wealthy, influential, or respected. But violence knows no status. Power must never be allowed to silence justice. Opinion leaders must stand with victims—not perpetrators.

4. The Church must not sacrifice safety for doctrine

Religion is meant to heal, not to trap. Too many women have been forced to stay with abusive husbands because pastors insist on “no divorce,” or because leaving is seen as a failure of faith. This is dangerous, and it contradicts the very essence of Christian love and protection.

Marriage is not a prison. The church must support victims who choose to leave abusive relationships, not guilt-trip them into staying. Preserving a life is far more important than preserving an institution.

5. Empowerment through education—a national responsibility

The Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection must intensify mass education on marital rights, legal options, and support services. Many women remain in abuse simply because they do not know the law protects them, or they fear financial instability. Workshops, community outreach, radio discussions, and school programs must demystify marital law and teach both women and men what healthy relationships look like.

Empowerment is a weapon—one that can save lives.

6. A nation that protects its women protects its future

When we allow abuse to flourish, we weaken our families, our communities, and our future. Every woman who suffers in silence represents a failure in our collective responsibility. Every child exposed to violence carries scars into adulthood. Ghana cannot progress while half of its population lives in fear.

Conclusion: The time to act is now

The video that broke our hearts must also awaken our conscience. Let it not be just another trending moment we forget. Let it be a turning point.

We must create a Ghana where women are safe in their homes, where marriage is a place of respect—not fear—and where abusers face the full force of the law.

Enough is enough.

No woman should ever have to endure such inhumane treatment.

No community should ever allow it.

No nation should ever tolerate it.

Let us rise—united, determined, and uncompromising—to end marital abuse in Ghana once and for all

The post When marriage becomes a battleground: A call to end marital abuse appeared first on The Business & Financial Times.

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