Experts Advocate Citizen-Driven Data to Strengthen Policies Against FGM

Victor Boateng Owusu, Senior Statistician and Statistical Data Literacy Advocate, is urging government and development partners to harness citizen-generated data (CGD) as a strategic tool to combat Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), a practice that persists in some communities despite being outlawed.

The initiative underscores the growing recognition of inclusive data as a driver of more effective policymaking, resource allocation, and program efficiency.

Boateng Owusu said the approach “strengthens advocacy, accountability, and collective action to accelerate ending FGM for future generations.” By elevating the voices of women and girls, he explained, inclusive data can uncover hidden practices, guide culturally sensitive interventions, and empower communities to act as partners in social change, rather than passive recipients of policy.

This effort forms part of the “Make Inclusive Data the Norm (MIDN)” Peer Learning Exchange, funded by APC-Colombia and implemented by the Global Partnership for Sustainable Development Data (GPSDD). The initiative brings together Ghana, Kenya, and Colombia to share lessons and scale inclusive data practices, demonstrating how community-driven insights can reshape national development strategies and drive measurable social impact.

In Ghana, the program targets the Upper West, Upper East, and Bono East regions, where FGM continues under the cover of tradition and secrecy. Conventional data collection has historically failed to capture the true scope of the problem, limiting the reach and effectiveness of interventions. Through CGD, local communities generate timely, culturally informed, and localized data, giving policymakers the insights needed to design targeted programs, strengthen law enforcement, and allocate resources efficiently.

Boateng Owusu emphasized the importance of multi-sector collaboration, noting: “Government, civil society, academia, media, and development partners all have unique roles, but the collective impact will create a participatory and sustainable data ecosystem.” The Ghana Statistical Service (GSS) validates and integrates CGD into official statistics, while civil society groups facilitate community engagement, return findings, and lead behaviour change initiatives. Academia provides methodological rigor and builds capacity, and media outlets translate data into accessible stories that inform the public and reinforce accountability.

The MIDN Peer Learning Exchange, held in Accra from 27–29 August 2025, positioned Ghana as a leader in South–South knowledge exchange, offering a replicable model for other countries. By linking citizen-generated insights to national planning, the initiative demonstrates how inclusive data can drive efficient, evidence-based policy decisions. Aligning with global frameworks such as the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the Leave No One Behind (LNOB) agenda), it highlights the social and economic returns of strategic data investments.

As Ghana scales its citizen-driven approach, Boateng Owusu stressed that inclusive data is more than a research tool, it is a strategic investment that helps policymakers make better decisions, improves program efficiency, and delivers measurable social and economic benefits. 

For Ghana, the initiative represents both a tactical and ethical step toward ensuring that no harmful practice, including FGM, remains hidden, while fostering community engagement, accountability, and sustainable social transformation.

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