In the small towns and villages of Ghana’s Upper West and Upper East regions, whispers of an outlawed practice still linger. Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), though criminalized for more than 30 years, continues in the shadows, passed down under the veil of tradition. The scars are physical and emotional, borne by women and girls who rarely get to speak about their experiences.
For decades, efforts to eradicate FGM have relied on legal bans, awareness campaigns, and the commitment of civil society. Yet, because the practice is hidden and often performed on very young girls, official statistics paint only part of the picture. Now, Ghana is turning to a different kind of tool inclusive, citizen-generated data to bring hidden realities into the open and drive more targeted, culturally sensitive interventions.
In 1994, Ghana became one of the first West African nations to criminalize FGM under the Criminal Code (Amendment) Act. The law was strengthened in 2007 through the Domestic Violence Act, which imposed tougher penalties. But legislation alone has not been enough.
UNICEF data indicates that about 4% of Ghanaian women aged 15–49 have undergone FGM. Nationally, this figure may seem small, but in certain communities of the Upper East Region, prevalence reaches nearly 30%. In Bono East and parts of the Upper West, the practice continues in secrecy, sometimes performed when girls are as young as five years old. Families often act quickly, hoping to avoid the eyes of authorities and outsiders.
The result is that official surveys and national averages understate the scale of the problem. For women and girls, that invisibility translates into a lack of adequate protection and support.
A New Approach: Data by the People
In late August 2025, Accra hosted the “Make Inclusive Data the Norm (MIDN)” Peer Learning Exchange, a gathering that brought together governments, national statistical offices, civil society, academia, media, and development partners from Ghana, Kenya, and Colombia.
The initiative, funded by APC-Colombia and implemented by the Global Partnership for Sustainable Development Data (GPSDD), is designed to shift how countries collect and use information. Rather than relying only on official surveys, it promotes the use of citizen-generated data (CGD) data collected by communities themselves.
For Ghana, the focus is clear: use CGD to uncover the real extent of FGM in affected regions. By giving women and girls a role in documenting their experiences and shaping the data, the approach not only improves accuracy but also empowers citizens as active agents of change.
Through this, FGM can no longer remain hidden in compounds and villages. Evidence from the ground becomes a tool for advocacy, policy, and accountability.
The Players in the Fight
Ending FGM through inclusive data requires cooperation from many fronts.
Government and the Ghana Statistical Service (GSS): They validate citizen-generated data, integrate it into official systems, and use it to design tailored interventions. Ministries responsible for gender, health, and education are expected to act on the findings—strengthening law enforcement, expanding school sensitization programs, and improving support for survivors.
Civil Society Organizations (CSOs):NGOs and local groups already working in high-prevalence regions are essential. Their long-standing relationships build trust, making it possible for sensitive conversations about FGM to happen. They will also return findings to communities, facilitate dialogues, and lead campaigns that challenge cultural norms.
Academia:Universities and research institutions bring ethical and scientific rigor. They refine methodologies, analyze complex data, and help train local actors to continue data collection even after the project ends.
Development Partners: Organizations like GPSDD and APC-Colombia provide resources, technical support, and a global platform. Ghana’s experience contributes to international agendas like the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the Leave No One Behind (LNOB) commitment.
Together, these players form a web of action, each responsible for ensuring that inclusive data does not just fill reports but drives real change.
Why Data Matters
FGM’s persistence in Ghana is partly due to its invisibility. Conventional data collection methods—household surveys or census questions—rarely capture what happens in secret. Families that continue the practice often deny it, and survivors may be reluctant to disclose painful experiences.
By contrast, citizen-generated data captures nuances:
How early girls are subjected to cutting.
Which communities remain strongholds of the practice.
The social pressures that perpetuate it.
The local leaders or networks willing to stand against it.
These insights allow government and partners to target interventions instead of applying blanket policies. For instance, an awareness campaign in Accra may not have the same impact as one tailored to rural Bono East, delivered in local languages and framed within community values.
Beyond Numbers: The Human Cost
At its core, FGM is not a data problem—it is a human rights issue. The health consequences are well documented. The World Health Organization (WHO) lists immediate risks such as severe bleeding, shock, and infection. Long-term effects include chronic pelvic pain, complications during childbirth, menstrual problems, and increased newborn deaths.
The psychological toll is equally devastating. Survivors often live with trauma, anxiety, and depression. Many are also forced into early marriage, cutting short their education and future aspirations.
For Ghana, these consequences ripple into broader challenges: maternal health outcomes, gender inequality, and the cycle of poverty.
A Shared Commitment
The MIDN Peer Learning Exchange, held in Accra from 27–29 August 2025, was more than a meeting of experts. It was a reaffirmation of a shared commitment: that no harmful practice should remain invisible, and no community should be left behind.
By embedding citizen-generated data into decision-making, Ghana signals a shift from top-down policymaking to community-driven solutions. This participatory approach recognizes that the fight against FGM cannot succeed without the voices of those most affected—women and girls.
Looking Forward
The road to ending FGM in Ghana will not be easy. Cultural traditions are deeply rooted, and secrecy still protects the practice in certain areas. Yet the momentum is clear. With laws in place, civil society mobilized, and inclusive data shedding new light, Ghana has the tools to make meaningful progress.
The success of this initiative will depend on what happens next: whether government agencies act on the evidence, whether communities embrace dialogue, and whether development partners continue to invest in long-term change.
Ending FGM is more than eliminating a harmful practice. It is about protecting the dignity, health, and futures of girls across Ghana. It is about ensuring that no girl suffers in silence, and that every child grows up free to dream without fear.
