How do I get a protection order against domestic violence in Ghana?

Under section 1 of the Domestic Violence Act, domestic violence within a past or present domestic relationship includes:

• Physical abuse, including assault, forcible confinement, and depriving a person of adequate food, water, clothing, shelter or rest.
• Sexual abuse, including forcing a person into sexual contact.
• Economic abuse, including depriving or threatening to deprive a person of money or resources they are entitled to by law, and disposing of, hiding or damaging property they have a material interest in.
• Emotional, verbal or psychological abuse, including conduct that makes a person feel constantly unhappy, humiliated, afraid or worthless.
• Harassment, including sexual harassment and intimidation.

A domestic relationship includes being or having been married to the other person, living together as if married, being engaged or in a romantic relationship, having a child together, being family members, sharing a home, and working as a house help in the household (section 2).

Domestic violence is an offence punishable by a fine of up to five hundred penalty units, imprisonment of up to two years, or both, and the court can also order the offender to pay the victim compensation (section 3). Consent is no justification (section 4), and a single act can amount to domestic violence (section 5). These penalties apply only to offences that are misdemeanours; more serious offences are punished under the criminal law (section 23).

• Report to the police. You, a family member or a person with information can file a complaint where the offender or victim lives, where the violence happened, or where the victim is staying for now (section 6). The police must respond and offer the protection the situation requires (section 7).
• The police must record your complaint, help you get medical treatment, help you to a place of safety, help you collect your belongings, advise you on keeping evidence and tell you your rights (section 8(1)). Medical treatment you are helped to get by the police is free, and in an emergency you can get free treatment before reporting (section 8(3) and (4)).
• Apply to a court for a protection order where you live or work, where the respondent lives or works, or where the violence happened. The application is made without notice to the respondent unless the court orders otherwise, and it is heard in private (sections 12 and 13(1)).
• The court can grant an interim protection order straight away if it is in your best interest, for example where you are at risk of harm if the order is not made immediately (section 14). A protection order can stop the respondent from abusing, threatening, harassing or contacting you, entering your home where you live apart, or coming within fifty metres of you (section 15). It can also require the respondent to keep paying rent or maintenance and to pay your medical expenses (section 17), and the court can order the respondent to leave the home (section 20).
• Bringing a criminal charge does not affect your right to apply for a protection order (section 26).

• An application for a protection order must be heard within fourteen days of filing (section 13(3)).
• An interim protection order lasts no more than three months (section 14(3)).
• A final protection order lasts no more than twelve months in the first instance, and the court can extend it for good cause (section 16).