Abstract:
The purpose of the study was to examine impact of the COMBAT community
policing project on domestic violence in Brong Ahafo Region of Ghana. The
mixed-method approach, also known as methodological triangulation, was
chosen for this study. Specifically, the descriptive case study design was
adopted and a total of 89 respondents participated in the study. These included
31 police personnel, 30 COMBAT volunteers, 18 community residents, and 10
key informants. Data collection techniques included the use of both qualitative
and quantitative interviews as well as focus group discussions. Also,
secondary data were collected from different published and unpublished
sources. The findings revealed that the COMBAT adopted three
complementary strategies to holistically address domestic violence – proactive
strategies, reactive strategies and women empowerment and livelihood
improvement strategies. The findings also showed that COMBAT operations
have contributed to obvious decline in domestic violence rates at the
community level. Insufficient funding from donors, lack of transport logistics,
and low incentives for volunteers were identified as major challenges of the
project. In view of these, it was recommended that the COMBAT involved the
Domestic Violence Secretariat, Ministry of Gender, Children and Social
Protection, as well as District Assemblies (DAs) in the design and
implementation of their activities as this partnership will help them receive
both financial and material support when the need arises. Besides, the District
COMBAT Executives were advised to work in close collaboration with the
DISEC in order to get some sort of political support from the District Assemblies.
