Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) prevalence rate in the country has reduced from an overall 11.7 per cent to 3.8 per cent.
The Upper West Region has the highest prevalence of 50.5 per cent.
Mrs Cecilia Abena Dapaah, Caretaker Minister of Gender, Children and Social Protection said this in a speech read on her behalf during the celebration of the Day of the African Child in Accra.
The day, set aside by the African Union and celebrated on June 16 every year is to commemorate the 1976 student uprising in Soweto, South Africa against an apartheid regime that had skewed education towards the white minority.
This year’s celebration is on the theme: “Eliminating Harmful Practices Affecting Children: Progress on Policy and Practices since 2013.”
Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) comprises all procedures that involve partial or total removal of the external female genitalia, or other injuries to the female genital organs for non-medical reasons.
The practice is mostly carried out by traditional practitioners.
Over 200 million girls and women worldwide have undergone FGM with about 4 million girls at risk of experiencing FGM annually.
Mrs Dapaah said despite its reduction, the five regions of the north were still in the lead according to data.
She said women and girls who suffered FGM were at risk of severe bleeding, shock, genital tissue swelling, heightened risk of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) among others.
Mrs Dapaah said the Government among other actions to address the phenomenon, had amended the Criminal Code Act introducing Section 69A which made FGM a second-degree felony.
The caretaker minister said the perpetrators would be liable on conviction to imprisonment of not less than three years.
She urged the public to report cases of FGM to the police or call toll-free numbers 0800111222, 0800800800 and 0800900900 to the Orange Support Centre and the Single Window Call Centre would refer them to appropriate services including shelter for victims.
Ms Barbara Asare, Campaign Coordinator for Word Vision Ghana, called on Government to strengthen formal prevention and protection of children through the enforcement of laws and policies linked to the elimination of harmful practices against children.
She urged Government to strengthen collaborations with relevant stakeholders working in child rights to reinforce their efforts in addressing obstacles related to the harmful practices.
Mr Solomon Tesfamariam, Country Director for Plan International Ghana, commended stakeholders working in the interest of children and urged them to continue in their commitment to enabling children to enjoy their rights to the fullest.
Madam Anne-Claire Dufay, United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) Country Representative, Ghana, encouraged stakeholders to contribute to mitigate harmful practices against children.
A statement was read on behalf of the children with a call on the public to join the fight to end harmful practices against children because some children died from the acts without punishment for perpetrators.
Latest Stories
-
Nigerian gasoline prices soar as shortages worsen cost of living crisis
6 mins -
Paris 2024: We will win medal at Olympics if government invests more – GPC President
11 mins -
Akufo-Addo calls for protection of Ghana’s democratic reputation and identity
13 mins -
Apple working to fix alarming iPhone issue
15 mins -
‘You won’t win GPL title without your own stadium’ – Bashir Hayford tells Kotoko, Hearts
18 mins -
Ryan Garcia denies using performance-enhancing drugs after beating Devin Haney
31 mins -
We must change phenomenon of moneyed elections – Raymond Atuguba
32 mins -
Accra Lions punished us for not taking our chances – Hearts of Oak assistant coach Abdul Bashiru
35 mins -
Biosafety Authority welcomes court’s dismissal of application seeking injunction on approval of 14 GMOs
46 mins -
Adaklu-Tevikpo murder suspect arrested from hideout
46 mins -
Asante artefacts return: Reawakening of Asante’s Soul
52 mins -
ECG attributes May 1 dumsor to rainstorm
1 hour -
Armed robbers attack Mobile Money agent in broad daylight at Tumu
1 hour -
Ghana to compete for 2024 Olympics ticket in Bahamas World Athletics Relays
1 hour -
COCOBOD workers bemoan effect of illegal mining on cocoa sector
1 hour