Tumu The Ghana Association of Women's Welfare (GAWW) and the Ghana Red Cross Society have begun a series of seminars aimed at eliminating obsolete cultural practices in the Upper West Region. The seminars will expose the participants to the dangerous effects of these practices and equip them with the necessary communication skills to enable them to effect positive changes in their communities. Addressing the first seminar at Tumu in the Sisala District yesterday, Mr Gaeten Nuzagl, secretary of the Upper West Region branch of the Ghana Red Cross Society, described female circumcision, tribal marks and certain widowhood rites as culturally outmoded and called for their abolition.

He told the 70 participants, including women leaders, traditional rulers, herbalists, traditional birth attendants and 'wanzams' that it was wrong to reject abnormal babies. Mr Nuzagl, who is also the regional co-ordinator of GAWW, reminded them that the Criminal Code prohibits female circumcision and warned that offenders will be prosecuted. Mrs Kate Bob-Milliar, regional co-ordinator of the National Council on Women and Development, said some effects of female genital mutilation include difficulty in urinating, prolonged labour, HIV infection and possible bleeding to death. The 'wanzams', by consensus, promised to stop circumcising girls though, according to them, that has been their source of livelihood.