Ghana Ministry Holds Meeting to End Child Marriage

Stakeholders in Ghana have convened a two-day National Meeting to accelerate efforts towards ending child marriage in the country.

The meeting, held on December 9 and 10, brought together key partners from the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection, UNFPA Ghana, and UNICEF Ghana, under the theme “Achieving Gender Equality, Empowering Futures: Accelerating Action to End Child Marriage.” Participants reviewed progress, assessed interventions, and shared lessons learned in the fight against the practice.

A new Operational Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) Plan for 2025–2026 was launched during the meeting, outlining agreed-upon baselines and targets for reducing child marriage rates. Discussions also focused on developing a National Strategic Framework for 2027, ensuring continued stakeholder consultation.

Addressing the meeting, the Director of the Social Protection Directorate, Madam Francisca Atuluk, emphasized that child marriage remains a significant impediment to both gender equality and national progress. “While progress has been made, child marriage continues to persist in some communities due to poverty, harmful cultural norms and limited access to education,” she stated.

Madam Atuluk further lauded the unwavering support of UNICEF Ghana and UNFPA Ghana to the Ministry and the Child Marriage Unit. She urged continued commitment, saying, “We must be guided by a vision of Ghana where every child grows in safety, dignity and opportunity, and where no girl is deprived of education, health and her dreams.”

Madam Saphia Tamimu, Head of the Child Marriage Unit, stressed the interconnectedness of efforts to end child marriage, saying, “No single institution can end child marriage alone.” She highlighted the importance of “collective partnerships, evidence-based programming and active community participation” to achieve lasting change.

Representatives from UNFPA Ghana and UNICEF Ghana underscored that child marriage is a violation of the rights of the girl child, robbing them of education, health, and future prospects. They called for collaborative action to ensure that “no girl under the age of 18 is married off in Ghana.”

The meeting also reviewed planned activities for 2025, including updates on the implementation of the GTA Roadmap, and featured presentations on girl empowerment initiatives by NGOs and civil society groups, as well as community engagement strategies.

Image Source: MYJOYONLINE