Refusing to Have Sex with Your Partner Can Lead to Jail – Ghana Police Warns

The Assistant Commissioner of Police, Dennis Fiakpui, has stated that under Ghana’s Domestic Violence Act (Act 732 of 2007), consistently refusing to offer intimacy to one’s legally married partner without justification could be considered a form of emotional abuse a punishable offence under the law.

Speaking during a public sensitization event, ACP Fiakpui emphasized that emotional neglect, particularly in marital relationships, falls within the broader scope of domestic violence.

He noted that while physical violence is often the most recognized form, emotional and psychological abuses including withholding affection or intimacy as a means of control or punishment are equally serious.

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“Section 1 of the Domestic Violence Act defines violence to include not just physical harm but also emotional, verbal, and psychological abuse,” ACP Fiakpui explained.

“If a spouse deliberately denies the other of their emotional and intimate needs, and it causes mental or emotional distress, it can be reported and investigated.”

He clarified, however, that each case would be assessed based on its unique circumstances, and that refusal based on health, safety, or other valid reasons would not be criminalized.

The police are calling on couples to seek counseling and mediation in cases of marital conflict and urged the public to familiarize themselves with the provisions of the Domestic Violence Act to avoid unintended legal consequences.

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The statement has sparked public debate, with some commending the move as a step toward recognizing emotional abuse, while others argue it could be misused or misunderstood.