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Putting an end to cross-border FGM practice… The role of advocates for girls’ protection
Hajia Nadia Abaas IV
Advocacy is a powerful tool that can be used to cause positive change in society by putting poli¬cy makers on their toes to discharge their duties satisfactorily.
Over the years, many advocates have used their voices to expose the rot in society and in the process saved thousands of lives.
In this same way, advocates for women and girls protection in Ghana can help fight Female Genital Mutila¬tion (FGM) to protect young girls from the devastating implication of the practice.
FGM, the practice of altering or injuring the female genitalia for non-medical reasons, is a deeply-root-ed cultural practice that continues to haunt many regions across Africa.
Despite efforts to eradicate the menace from Ghana, recent reports have revealed that young girls are taken to nearby countries like Burki¬na Faso to undergo the inhumane act before they are brought back to their respective families.
This calls for firmer action to be taken against this cross-border act to save victims.
It is good to know that the laws against the practice of FGM are well enforced, however if the purpose for the enforcement were not achieved, the whole motive of fighting FGM to protect our young girls will be lost.
Dealing with this danger of cross-border FGM would require wom¬en centered Non-Governmental Organ-isations (NGOs), advocates for girls’ protection, Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) and all well-meaning Ghanaians and Africans at large, to rise up and speak against the practice.
Speaking exclusively to The Spec¬tator, women empowerment advo¬cate, Hajia Nadia Abbas (IV) bemoaned the implication of such practices on young girls, and called on governments and international organisations to collaborate to create awareness pro¬grammes in affected regions.
According to her, cross-border collaboration among countries that encourage FGM was crucial, adding that governments must work together to exchange information, coordinate action and harmonise legislation to en¬sure that culprits do not escape legal consequences.
She indicated that religious and traditional leaders must also come out in their numbers to discourage actions that harm girls.
“We must call for the participation of all well-meaning members of the public in speaking against all forms of violence against humanity, includ¬ing this dangerous practice that is a human right violation.”
“I strongly believe that when everybody becomes an advocate for positive change, good results can be realised quickly,” she added.
Furtherance to that, she noted that men could join in the advocacy for the rights of women and work towards gender equity.
Hajia Nadia Abbas (IV) confirmed that she heard stories of young girls who were taken out of the country to neighbouring countries for them to un¬dergo FGM mainly because the police in those areas were on the look-out for culprits for such ill practices.
Advocates for women and girls’ rights stated that the fact that FGM had become a thing of the past in Ghana, did not mean authorities should relax; “We must be alert and arrest persons seen forcing girls out of the country for the barbaric act to be carried out on them. We must ensure we join forces with all our neighbour¬ing countries to put a permanent stop to this menace.”
Hajia Nadia Abbas (IV) who is also the Founder of Nadisco Foundation, a women centered NGO indicated that, when young girls are made aware about the severe health implication of FGM, which include urinary problems, complications during child birth and even death, they would stand up for themselves and report family mem¬bers who threaten to force them to undergo FGM.
MEN MUST JOIN THE FIGHT TO END FGM
On the International Day of Zero Tolerance for FGM which was marked in February 2023, the United Nations Populations Fund (UNFPA) called for partnership with men to join the fight against FGM.
When men join the fight against practices that affect women negative¬ly, success would be easily achieved, leading to an understanding that women and young girls also deserve to be respected and cherished.
By joining the fight against FGM, men demonstrate their commitment to their loved ones. Men can also challenge these harmful norms and attitudes by openly opposing FGM and promoting alternative practices that respect and uphold the rights of wom¬en and girls.
UNFPA’S REPORT ON FGM
The UNFPA has estimated that more than 200 million girls and women globally have undergone some form of FGM.
It also estimates 68 million girls are at risk of being mutilated be¬tween 2015 and 2030. A more recent study further revealed an additional two million girls to be at risk of this harmful practice due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Further projections by the UNFPA showed that 4.3 million girls, world¬wide, this year remain at risk of FGM.
According to the UNFPA, this number is likely to reach 4.6 million by 2030, as conflict, climate change, rising poverty and inequality contin¬ued to hinder efforts to transform gender and social norms that underpin this harmful practice and disrupt pro¬grammes that help protect girls.
These revelations prove that all hands are needed on deck to save women and girls from this barbaric human rights violation.
The fight cannot be won if trans-border FGM practices were not checked.
By Raissa Sambou
When Abigail Fremah steps up to the Armwrestling table, the noise fades, the tension settles, and order takes over.
Despite a calm, but firm and meticulous disposition, she has become one of the quiet forces shaping Ghana’s growing reputation in the sport, not as an athlete, but a referee trusted on the continental stage.
Abigail’s journey into Armwrestling did not begin at the table. Like many Ghanaian sports enthusiasts, she grew up playing several disciplines. Football was her first love, but she also featured in volleyball and basketball during her school years. Sports, she says, was simply a way of life not just for her.
“It runs through the family. All my siblings are into sports,” she stated.
“I was involved in almost every sport in school, football, volleyball, netball, hockey; I did everything,” she recalls.
Her academic background in Health, Physical Education and Recreation laid a solid foundation for her sporting career. While on scholarship at the university (University of Cape Coast), she often used her modest budget to support young athletes, sometimes sharing skills and even T-shirts at programmes she attended. Giving back, she explains, has always been part of her motivation.
However, as she matured as an athlete, Abigail made a critical self-assessment.
“Armwrestling involves a lot of strength,” she admits. “Looking at my body type, I realised I couldn’t fit properly as a competitive athlete.”
That moment of honesty pushed her to a different trajectory but equally important path in sports; which is officiating.
During her National Service, she was encouraged by Mr Charles Osei Asibey, the President of the Ghana Armwrestling Federation (GAF), to consider officiating. He introduced her to a technical official, Mr Hussein Akuerteh Addy, who formally took her through the basics of Armwrestling officiating in 2021.
“I started as a case official,” she says. “We moved from region to region every week, officiating competitions. That’s where it all began.”
By 2022, Abigail was actively involved in national assignments, though she missed the African Championship that year. Her breakthrough came in 2023, when Ghana hosted the African Armwrestling Championship.
It was her first experience officiating at a major international competition and it changed everything.
“That was my first national and international exposure at the same time,” she says. “It really opened my eyes.”
Today, Abigail is a World Junior Armwrestling Referee, a status earned through performance, consistency and discipline. She explains that progression in officiating was not automatic.
“It’s all about performance, your appearance at African Championships, your conduct, how you handle pressure; that’s what takes you to the world level,” she stressed.
As a referee, Abigail’s priority is safety and fairness. Armwrestling, she notes, comes with risks, particularly injuries to the wrists, elbows, shoulders and arms.
“If athletes don’t follow the rules or refuse to listen to officials, injuries can happen,” she explains, adding that focus was everything.
Before every match, she ensures that all equipment which includes elbow pads, hand pegs and table alignment were properly set. Athletes are not allowed to cover their elbows, must grip correctly, and must follow the referee’s commands precisely.
“We make sure everything is fixed before the grip,” she says. “Once we say ‘Ready… Go’, there should be no confusion.”
She is also firm on discipline. Warnings are issued for infractions, and repeated misconduct attracts penalties.
“The referee must be respected, if you don’t listen, the rules will deal with you,” she says.
Abigail credits her confidence partly to her sporting family background. Her mother was a volleyball player, while other family members also participated in sports. Though they were initially concerned about her safety, her rise to the top reassured them.
“They were afraid at first,” she admits. “But they were also very proud, especially because some of them never got the opportunity to reach this level.”
Looking ahead, Abigail is optimistic about the future of Armwrestling in Ghana. In less than a decade, the country has produced African and world-level medalists, a sign, she believes, of great things to come for Ghana.
“Whenever we go out, we come back with medals such as gold and silver,” she says, and to her that was a sign of growth.
In the next five to ten years, Abigail sees herself rising to become a World Master Referee, the highest officiating level in the sport. Until then, her routine remains intense, training four times a week, working closely with athletes, standing on her feet for hours, and constantly refining her understanding of the rules.
“I love this sport,” she says simply. “That love is what keeps me going.”
Abigail encouraged women to be bold and intentional about their place in sports saying “don’t limit yourself because of fear or stereotypes.”
She also urged women to invest in learning, discipline and consistency, stressing that respect was earned through performance.
For Abigail, as Ghana’s armwrestlers continue to make their mark, she will remain where she is most effective at the table, ensuring the game is played right.
By Esinam Jemima Kuatsinu
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As he had promised Aperkeh, the elderly man and his wife and three daughters stopped by Aperkeh’s parents’ house. Mr Amando and his family were preparing to settle in for the night.
“Brother Ben and family”, Mr Joshua Amando said warmly, “although I know you are here on a matter that can hardly be described as joyous, it is still good to see you. You are welcome. Please sit down while I bring you water”.
“Yes, we will take water, even though we are hardly thirsty, because this is our home”.
“Okay, Ben”, he started after they had drank, “Let me go straight to the point. My daughter Priscilla has told me about the goings on between her brother Aperkeh and our daughter Stella.
Before informing me, Priscilla had expressed concern to Aperkeh about some habits he is adopting, especially the late nights and the drinking. She tells me that one Saturday morning, she was there when Stella complained about his drinking and some girls who had come to the house to look for him, and he assaulted her.
I called him and complained, but all he could say was that I don’t know what caused him to react that way, so I could not judge him. Now he does not answer my calls.
I have sent Priscilla to his house to call him, but he has refused to come. Unfortunately, Ben, my son is a much different person than the young boy who completed university and started work at the bank. I am really embarrassed about his treatment of Stella”.
“Joshua, let me assure you that even though what is happening is very unfortunate, it will not affect our relationship.
We have been friends since childhood, and I thought that with their parents’ blessing, the relationship between Aperkeh and Stella would grow to become a blessing to all of us. But there appears to be a real challenge now.
Stella thinks that Aperkeh wants her out of his house, and indeed Aperkeh himself told me that, about an hour ago.
So I’m taking my daughter home. I suggest that you do what you can to straighten him out, but if it does not work out, let’s accept the situation and continue to be one family.
I am sure that being the well behaved girl that she is, Stella will meet a young man who will cherish her. Fortunately, this problem is happening early in the day, so they can sort things out if possible, or move on with their lives if they are unable to stay together”.
“I’m really grateful for that, Ben. I will do my best in the next few days to reason with him, because apart from the relationship with Stella, Aperkeh is risking his job and career with this lifestyle.
A good job and salary offers an opportunity to gather momentum in life, not to destroy yourself”.
“Okay Brother Joshua. We will say goodnight. I hope to hear positive news from you”.
As he descended in the lift from the fourth to the ground floor, Aperkeh wondered who would be waiting at the reception to see him at nine on Monday morning. He had spent good time with both of his new girls during the weekend, so it had to be someone else. He got out of the lift and pulled a face when he saw Priscilla.
“Priscilla”, he said as he sat down by her, “what do you want here? You know Monday morning is a busy time at the bank. I am a very busy person, so say what you want, I have work to do”.
“You are very funny, Aperkeh. You are telling me, your sister, that you have work to do, so I should hurry up? Okay, Dad says I should advise you to come home tonight, because he wants to discuss the issue of Stella with you. He sent me to you twice, and you did not come.
He has tried to call you quite a number of times, but you have refused to answer his calls. He says that if you do not come tonight, you will be very surprised at what he will do. He says you will not like it at all, so better come.
“What is all this? Why won’t you people leave me alone? Stella is very disrespectful. I told her that if she wanted to continue to live in my house, she must obey me. It is that simple.
She chose to continue ordering me about, controlling me in my own house, so I told her that if she could not live under my conditions she should leave. And she left. In fact, her own father came and took her away. So what again?’’
“How did she disobey or control you? Was she complaining about your continuous drinking and late nights? And did you slap her on several occasions because of that? Did you tell her that if she could not live under your conditions she should leave? You actually said that to her father? You have forgotten that before she came to live with you, our two parents met and agreed, and gave it their blessing?’
“Why don’t you leave, Priscilla? I don’t have to listen to all that”. “Okay, I will go. Your father who gave birth to you and educated you to university level sends me to you, and you ask me to leave? I wish you would defy him, and refuse to come home as he’s telling you, because he is planning to give you the discipline you badly need. Let me tell you. Stella is such a beautiful and decent girl, and I assure you that someone will grab her before you say Jack. You are only 30 years old, and you have already become a drunkard”.
As he walked towards the lift, Aperkeh decided on what to do. He would go home, and calmly listen to what his father had to say. The old man was very unpredictable, and he wouldn’t dare ignore him. So he would take all the insults and threats, but as for Stella she was history. According to Priscilla, Stella was beautiful and all that, but she had not seen the two curvaceous princesses who were all over him, ready to do anything he asked. And these were not barely literate waakye girls, but university graduates from wealthy homes, really classy girls. With stuff like that, who needs a waakye girl? He smiled as he took his seat.
A few minutes to five, Aperkeh was packing up to leave for home to meet his dad when his phone rang. It was Priscilla.
“Aperkeh, Dad says you don’t need to bother to come. Stella’s dad says she came to him early this morning to plead that she would rather stay at home than return to your house. She thinks you are already decided to be rid of her, and she does not want to risk being assaulted again. So it’s done. You can go ahead and enjoy the nice life you have started”.
Before he could tell her to go to hell, Priscilla hanged up the line. He was partially stung that his dad had virtually cut him off. The last thing anyone would want was to fall out of relationship with his own family, which had always supported him.
But the truth was he was no longer interested in Stella. What was wrong with going by one’s feelings? He could only hope that one day, his parents and sister would try to reason with him.
By Ekow de Heer
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