Hindrance of Female Genital Mutilation/cutting Elimination: A Case Study Reviewing National Policy Intervention in the Upper East Region of Ghana

This qualitative case study examines what sustains the obstinate cases of female genital mutilation /cutting (FGM/C), regardless of its illegality in Kassena-Nankana and Pusiga districts in the Upper East Region of Ghana, and assesses the efficacy of national anti-FGM policy intervention. Based on receptor-oriented perspectives, data was collected through semi-structured in-depth interviews (IDIs) and focus group discussions (FGDs) from two districts with a sample size of 40. Interpretive phenomenological approach is utilised for data analysis to analyse the public perception of national policy.The result reveals that legislative measures parallel with the health education approach exhibit moderate effectiveness in eliminating FGM. It is attributed to the conventional cultural norms or political stance theories do not well explain the circumstance, which is neoliberalism and capitalist patriarchal system are restraining women's capacity to stand against FGM.Public perception has been alternating gradually in response to the intervention in health education policy. However, marginalised and underprivileged socioeconomic circumstances are hindering the uptake and comprehension of ‘rights’ and medical knowledge; choices are made under the condition of feamales’ autonomy and motivation to abolish FGM/C is suppressed.