Choicenewsonline Your Choice Is Here
Ilham Mohammed, a 28-year-old mother from Old Tafo, a suburb of Kumasi in Ghana, has bravely defied a ingrained cultural norm that has haunted her since childhood. As a survivor of female genital mutilation (FGM), Ilham has endured pain and complications, including a harrowing experience during childbirth.
“I couldn’t bear the thought of my daughter going through the same ordeal,” Ilham said, her voice trembling with determination. “The pain, the trauma, the complications… I won’t let that happen to her.”
Ilham’s decision to protect her third-born daughter from FGM has come at a great cost. She left her home in June 2023, fearing her family would coerce her child into undergoing the procedure.
Our portal received a tip-off about Ilham’s story through a social media post from a concerned community member. The post read: “A young mother has fled her home to save her daughter from FGM. She’s in hiding, but her family is still searching for her.”
Intrigued, this online portal decided to investigate further. After several phone calls and messages, we finally reached Ilham on her mobile phone.
“I’m in a safe place, but I’m scared,” Ilham said, her voice barely above a whisper. “I won’t let them find me until I know my daughter is safe.”
Our reporter asked Ilham to share her story, and she agreed, hoping it would raise awareness about the dangers of FGM.
“My family thinks I’m betraying our culture, but I’m just trying to save my daughter from a lifetime of suffering,” Ilham explained.
Ilham’s husband, Shaibu Gafaru, has stood by her side, despite pressure from their family to conform to tradition.
“I support my wife’s decision completely,” Shaibu said, during a separate phone call. “We want our daughter to grow up free from the pain and trauma that Ilham endured.”
However, not everyone in the family agrees. Aliu Sulemana, a family member, believes that FGM is an essential part of their cultural heritage.
“It’s our tradition, and every girl must undergo it,” Alhassan insisted, during a phone interview. “Ilham is going against our customs, and it’s causing tension in the family.”
Ilham remains resolute, refusing to disclose her location or return to her family until she knows her daughter is safe from FGM.
“I’d rather live in hiding than see my child suffer like I did,” Ilham said, her voice firm. “I hope my story will inspire others to break free from this painful tradition.”
Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), a practice dating back over 2,000 years, has been a deeply ingrained cultural tradition in many African countries, including Ghana. The procedure involves the partial or total removal of the external female genitalia, often performed on girls between infancy and age 15.
In Ghana, FGM has been practiced for centuries, particularly among certain ethnic groups in the northern and upper eastern regions. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), approximately 4% of Ghanaian women have undergone FGM, with higher prevalence rates in rural areas.
