Advertisement

WiLDAF undertakes programme to check negative cultural practices

The Women in Law and Development in Africa (WiLDAF), Ghana, is to embark on a year-long programme in three traditional areas in the South-Dayi District in the Volta Region to review customary practices that infringe on the rights of the people.

The all-inclusive programme, which will involve both men and women, would be undertaken through interactions and workshops to identify bad customary practices that affect both men and women, with steps taken by traditional authorities to review or abolish them where necessary.

The Paramount Chief of the Kpalime Traditional Area, Togbui Adza Wiah Kwesi II, said the areas involved were Kpeve, Kpalime and Tongor traditional areas, and advised traditional leaders to be abreast of the objectives of the programme to help articulate views and suggestions to achieve results.

It would be recalled that one of the traditional areas, Kpalime, recently abolished certain outmoded customs because they were inimical to the growth and development of the area.

Torgbui Adza Wiah said this at a workshop for traditional authorities from the three traditional authorities at Kpeve.

In a background to the project, the Programmes Manager of  WiLDAF, Ms Patricia Isabella Essel, said it was aimed at increasing access to justice for women through community-based legal literacy and said well documented case studies and educational materials would be produced for training and used by literacy volunteers, in support of national policy advocacy on women’s rights.

She said a special seminar would be organised for traditional authorities and family heads to get them to appreciate issues bordering on human rights and some dehumanising cultures and traditions that resulted in violence against women and children.

The one-year project is under the sponsorship of Ann MacCain through Crossroads International in Canada.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Chieftaincy and Traditional Affairs has commended the chiefs and people of the Kpalime Traditional Area for abolishing outmoded cultural practices which impeded progress in the area.

In a letter signed by the Deputy Minister of Chieftaincy and Traditional Affairs, Mr John Alexander-Ackon,he said the decision to abolish outmoded traditional practices was a further demonstration of the commitment to the promotion of human rights in the traditional area in line with provisions of the 1992 Constitution and sections of the Chieftaincy Act 759.

By Tim Dzamboe/Daily Graphic/Ghana

Connect With Us : 0242202447 | 0551484843 | 0266361755 | 059 199 7513 |