CODOP Foundation urges stronger law enforcement to protect widows

The Call of Diligence (CODOP) Foundation has made an urgent appeal for the rigorous enforcement of laws designed to protect widows and widowers in Ghana from property dispossession and abuse. Speaking during a community outreach event in Kasseh, the foundation’s Executive Director, William Oppong Peasah, stressed that the death of a spouse should not result in the loss of a home or the subjection of the bereaved to discriminatory traditional practices. He called for a shift in societal attitudes and state intervention to ensure that legal protections are not merely theoretical but accessible to all.

Over its 12 years of operation, the CODOP Foundation has identified several systemic barriers that prevent vulnerable families from securing justice. Mr. Peasah highlighted that a widespread lack of awareness regarding existing legal rights, combined with the prohibitive costs of legal assistance, often leaves widows defenseless against relatives seeking to seize assets. The foundation's advocacy emphasizes that bereavement is a period requiring support and empathy, rather than the further victimization often seen in cases of property grabbing and social exclusion.

The outreach program in Kasseh also integrated health services, where screenings revealed a concerning prevalence of hypertension among attendees. Many individuals recorded high blood pressure levels requiring immediate medical intervention, illustrating the physical toll that social and economic insecurity takes on vulnerable populations. The foundation noted that the psychological stress associated with the threat of losing one’s livelihood often exacerbates these underlying health conditions among widows and other marginalized groups.

Aligning its mission with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals on gender equality and access to justice, the CODOP Foundation urged the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection to act decisively. Mr. Peasah emphasized that long-term support systems and enforceable legal frameworks are essential to protecting the dignity of bereaved families. The foundation remains committed to providing immediate relief while pushing for broader policy changes to ensure that no widow is left to face poverty or abuse in the wake of their loss.