Wa, Oct. 27, GNA - Mr. Sahanun Mogtari, Upper West Regional Minister on Monday urged traditional rulers in the region to take steps to modify or abolish all customs and traditions that were viewed as being obstacles to progress in their communities.

He said: "As a people, we have to cherish our customs and traditions but not at the expense of our human rights or when they work against growth and development."

Mr Mogtari was opening a two-day workshop on gender, women's rights and negative cultural practices for paramount chiefs and gender desk officers of the district assemblies in the region at Wa.

It was organised by the Upper West Rural Women Association, a local non-government organisation and sponsored by the United States Embassy. Among the issues being discussed include gender disparities in the communities, rights of women, gender development customs, taboos and cultural practices that are unhealthy and dehumanising.

Mr Mogtari spoke extensively against female genital mutilation, violence against women, widowhood rites, and inheritance of widows by brothers and relatives of the deceased.

He said the marriage of wives of deceased relatives was very common in the region and noted that this practice has led to loss of lives through HIV/AIDS and the spread of the disease.

Chiefs should spearhead the elimination of all negative practices and lead in fighting all forms of human rights abuses.

Mrs. Barbara Kalb, Co-ordinator of Democracy and Human Rights at the US Embassy lauded the achievements of Ghanaian women and urged chiefs to take keen interest in the education of girls.

Mrs Cate Bob-Milliar, Upper West Regional Director of the National Council on Women and Development regretted that some of the country's rich culture were not women-friendly.

She stated that 80 per cent of farm work was done by women but this was not often recorded or acknowledged as work, and the produce was not collectively owned with women.

"It is disheartening to note that even a son has more rights when it comes to decision-making in the family than his mother." 27 Oct. 03