Day of the African Child: Rachel Appoh condemns persistence of trokosi and FGM

Day of the African Child: Rachel Appoh condemns persistence of trokosi and FGM

Rachel Appoh, Deputy Minister for Gender Children and Social Protection

Deputy Minister for Gender Children and Social Protection, Rachel Adwoa Appoh has bemoaned the persistence of cultural practices such as trokosi and Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) despite efforts to totally end them.

According to the Deputy Minister, studies reveal that an estimated 2,500 girls are still victims of the traditional practice.

She said Female Genital Mutilation which is a violation of girls’ (or women’s) right to physical and mental health, and breaches their basic human right to liberty, security and bodily integrity also persists.

The Deputy Minister’s remarks were contained in a press release to mark the Day of the African Child (DAC) which falls on today June 16 and commemorated every year on the same day by member States of the African Union (AU).

Highlighting the importance of the commemoration, she said the DAC provides an occasion for governments, international institutions and communities to renew their commitments towards improving the plight of the marginalised and vulnerable children in society.

This year’s Day of the African Child is on the theme Eliminating Harmful Social and Cultural Practices Affecting Children: Our Collective Responsibility.

Rachel Appoh, who is also the MP for Gomoa Central, said in Ghana the celebration will be in two phases. The first phase will focus on public education on the theme, “Eliminating Harmful Social and Cultural Practices Affecting Children: our Collective Responsibility”.

She explained that the public education will focus on creating public awareness on the situation. She said this will be in the form of radio and television discussions.

The second phase of the celebration will be a National Durbar at Sirigu, in the Kassena-Nankana District of the Upper East Region, to sensitise and educate community members on the dangers of infanticide.

According to her, Sirigu has been selected to host this durbar because of the prevalence of the practice of killing children believed to be spirit children, and their commitment to stop and revise this traditional practice.