Accra: The Department of Gender has intensified efforts to combat harmful cultural practices in the Upper East Region through a series of dialogue sessions with men and young boys.
According to Ghana News Agency, the dialogue sessions, which were conducted in the Nabdam and Kassena-Nankana West Districts, aimed to encourage men and boys to serve as advocates against harmful cultural practices, particularly child marriage, Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), and other forms of gender-based violence (GBV). The initiative brought together 60 participants who were equipped with knowledge on GBV, child marriage, and FGM, empowering them to champion behavioral change within their communities.
The program, supported by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), is part of ongoing efforts by the Department of Gender to reduce gender-based violence, protect the rights of women and girls, and ensure gender equality. Mr. James Twene, the Acting Upper East Regional Director of the Department of Gender, emphasized the critical role men and boys play in either perpetuating or preventing abuse against women and girls, highlighting the importance of engaging them as part of the solution.
Participants were trained to understand the causes and forms of GBV and the roles they could play in preventing abuse, reporting cases, and supporting survivors. They are expected to return to their communities and use platforms such as churches, mosques, youth groups, and men's associations to educate others on the dangers of child marriage, FGM, and domestic violence.
Mr. Twene expressed concern about rising cases of teenage pregnancies among girls aged between 10 and 14 years, describing the situation as a collective failure requiring the involvement of parents, traditional authorities, religious leaders, and state institutions. He urged participants to become agents of change and advocates against harmful cultural practices, encouraging them to report cases of abuse through appropriate channels.
Ms. Dora Kulariba, Upper East Regional Adolescent Focal Person of the Ghana Health Service, noted that harmful practices such as child marriage and domestic violence persist because many communities consider them normal. She presented statistics revealing that 1,765 adolescent girls became pregnant in the first four months of 2026, including 21 girls aged 10 to 14.
Ms. Kulariba highlighted that men hold influential positions in decision-making structures within communities and could play a decisive role in changing attitudes and behaviors. She called for stronger enforcement of laws protecting children and women and urged traditional authorities to condemn practices that endanger the wellbeing of women and girls.
Mrs. Georgina Aberese-Ako, the Acting Upper East Regional Director of the Department of Children, acknowledged that harmful cultural practices contribute to violence and inequality, particularly against women and girls. She called for collective efforts to address these challenges and rallied men and boys to play a significant role in that regard.
Ms. Yvonne Wonchua, the Upper East Regional Focal Person of the UNFPA, encouraged men and boys to replicate their knowledge among their peers at the community level to help eliminate dehumanizing practices. Mr. Lawrence Agengre, Assembly Member for the Kongo East Electoral Area in the Nabdam District, described the engagement as timely and necessary, highlighting the participants' commitment to extending education to other community members and working with local leaders to address issues like child marriage, FGM, and domestic violence.