Ghana: Women denied the right of standing as sureties for offenders in bail cases

The matter relating to the women’s right which accounts for their stand as surety in bail cases has taken a back seat. Although the 1992 Constitution of the Republic of Ghana does not bind women from standing as surety in bail cases, it is generally the practice of Police officials to rebuff their right as sureties for offenders in bail cases. According to a Police official, women must not be allowed just because she does not posses any property or that she may lack the emotional capacity to deal with the ensuing consequences. However, legal analysts are of the view that it is the violation of women’s right. Mr. Adusei Poku, a lawyer with the Centre for Public Interest Law says, ‘the practice is illegal, because there is no law prohibiting women from standing as surety in bail cases’. Nana Oye Lithur, an advocate and Women’s Rights Activist too termed it as illegal act.