Minister Calls for End to Female Genital Mutilation in Ghana
Hon. Naa Momo Lartey, PhD, the newly appointed Minister for Gender, Children, and Social Protection, has urged for a permanent end to Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) in Ghana. She made this call during the International Day for Zero Tolerance on Female Genital Mutilation on February 6, 2025.
According to Minister Lartey, to eradicate FGM in Ghana, young people must engage with influential community leaders, particularly religious leaders, to speak out against the practice. She emphasized that religious leaders, who command respect in Ghanaian society, can play a crucial role in convincing parents and community leaders to abandon FGM.
The Minister also highlighted the need for strict penalties for those who continue to practice FGM, citing Act 741 of the Parliament of the Republic of Ghana, which provides for imprisonment and/or fines for those involved in the practice.
FGM is still prevalent in some parts of Ghana, including the Northern, Upper East, Upper West, and Brong Ahafo regions, as well as the Volta Region and Zongo Communities in urban centers.
Minister Lartey’s call to action is supported by various organizations, including the UNFPA, UNICEF, and the Ministry of Health, which have launched programs aimed at abandoning FGM in Ghana. This effort aligns with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), specifically Goal 3, which seeks to ensure healthy lives and wellbeing, and Goal 5, which aims to achieve gender equality and empower women and girls.
By working together, young people, government agencies, and community leaders can help bring an end to FGM in Ghana and promote a safer, more equitable society for all.
By: Frank Owusu Obimpeh
