According to private legal practitioner, Austin Kwabena Brako-Powers, withdrawing a domestic violence case from the police does not necessarily mean it can never be reported again.
If the abuse continues or happens again, the matter can be reported to the police and the appropriate legal process followed under Ghana’s Domestic Violence Act, 2007 (Act 732).
“Crime does not expire” Lawyer Austin Brako-Powers iterated in his answer to whether the husband of Ghanaian actress and fashionista Nana Akua Addo can ask for the reopening of the alleged previous assault cases he withdrew against his wife.
In a press statement released by the lawyers for Harold Duodu Norman in response to videos and pictures of an assaulted Nana Akua Addo circulating online, they alleged that the estranged wife has assaulted their client on a number of occasions.
“Note that this would be the third time Nana Akua Addo had stabbed him in the course of their marriage amidst destruction of household items and inflicting injuries on members of the household when she is angry.
Most of these violent incidents were reported by our client to the police at Nmai Dzorn, Spintex, East Legon among others All of these criminal complaints of violence were withdrawn by our client following several pleas from her friends and family in order to protect her public image as “a star” and for the sake of the children of the marriage” the statement added.
Speaking on ‘Onua Maadwo‘ show with host Asoreba Thunderh on Onua FM 95.1, Brako-Powers entreated victims of domestic violence especially men to be bold, eschew the social stereotype of men don’t cry and that men must be strong to endure pain, and report any abuse on them.
“Domestic violence is not only a women’s issue. Men who experience abuse from their partners or wives should also speak up, seek help and allow the law to take its course. Abuse should not be kept to yourself or tolerated in silence” Brako-Powers stated.
The Ghana Police Service by a press release issued on 7th October 2026 has confirmed that acting upon a petition brought to the police against Harold Norman by Nana Akua, arrested the suspect on 27th August, 2026 and was granted a Police enquiry bail with two sureties.
“The accused person was due to be put before court today, however, his lawyers notified the Police that his client had been admitted at the hospital and therefore was unable to appear before the court as had been scheduled.
Investigators from DOVVSU have visited the said hospital to verify the claim and are monitoring the situation to ensure he is arraigned immediately upon discharge from the hospital” the statement read.
Domestic violence: 37-year-old woman escapes being lynched by husband
By Samuel Afriyie Owusu
