Ghana's ministry intensifies fight against female genital mutilation

Ghana's Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection (MGCSP) on Wednesday joined the rest of the world to condemn the practice of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), calling on the citizens to act towards ending it.

In a statement to mark the International Day of Zero Tolerance for FGM, the MGCSP called on stakeholders, including the government and civil society groups, not to relent on efforts to end this gruesome act which has no health benefit to women and children.

It said ending FGM in Ghana was the responsibility of all and the fight to eradicate it must be addressed through a national crusade from the national to the community levels.

"We as a community of Ghanaians must demonstrate our commitment to protect our women and girls from human rights abuses to eliminate all forms of violence against them," said the statement signed by Cynthia Mamle Morrison, Minister of MGCSP.

The International Day of Zero Tolerance for FGM is celebrated globally every February 6 as part of the United Nation's efforts to eradicate FGM which is one of the ancient cultures practiced in Africa for decades.

FGM refers to the practice that involves the partial or total removal or alteration of the female genital organs for non-medical reasons, resulting in deep-rooted inequality between the sexes and constituting a form of discrimination against females.

In Ghana, some parts of the Northern, Upper East, Upper West and Brong Ahafo and Volta Regions are reported to be notable places where the practice goes on.

Studies show that in Ghana, the prevalence in the 1990s was as high as about 77 percent but it reduced drastically due to the advocacy and sensitization carried out over the years.

The current national prevalence is about four percent.

The Ministry urged law enforcement agencies not to hesitate in prosecuting anyone caught in the act as the laws of Ghana frowned on FGM practice.

Anyone found culpable is liable on summary conviction to imprisonment for a term of not less than 5 years and not more than 10 years.