Queenmother of Nakolo urges gov’t to act on FGM and child marriage
Kape Alugivala expressed concern over the continued violation of girls’ rights through these harmful cultural practices.
The Queenmother of the Nakolo Traditional Area in the Kassena-Nankana West District, Kape Asaliwe Alugivala, has called on the government to intensify efforts to eradicate Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) and child marriage, practices she says remain widespread in some border communities despite national prohibitions.
Speaking to journalists during a Mother’s Day commemoration event, Kape Alugivala expressed concern over the continued violation of girls’ rights through these harmful cultural practices. She revealed that families in communities near the Burkina Faso border were still engaging in FGM by sneaking young girls across the border to have the procedure done.
“FGM is still happening in our communities. It is common in the communities in my traditional area that are near the border. The young women are sneaked into Burkina Faso, and it is done there. It is very bad, and we need the government to act decisively through education and prosecution to stop it,” she stated.
The Queenmother stressed that although FGM is outlawed in Ghana, weak enforcement and persistent cultural beliefs have allowed the practice to persist, especially in remote areas. She called for nationwide sensitization campaigns and greater involvement of traditional leaders to help change mindsets and end the practice.
In addition to FGM, Kape Alugivala also decried the prevalence of child marriage in the district. She explained that despite interventions from the Department of Social Welfare, early marriages continued to occur, depriving girls of their education and future prospects.
“Another issue affecting the women in this area is child marriage. Even though I have tried several times with the support of the Social Welfare Department to stop early child marriages, they still happen. These marriages rob our girls of their potential. We want the government to strengthen interventions to protect their rights and keep them in school,” she urged.
The Mother’s Day celebration, organized by the Queenmother, brought together over 15 women’s groups from the Nakolo Traditional Area. The week-long event celebrated the vital role of mothers in society and promoted unity among women. It ended with awards and citations presented to outstanding individuals and groups.
The climax of the event was graced by the Chief of the Nakolo Traditional Area, Pe Awolilugu Aloah Pwapiloro III.
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