The Ministry of Gender, Children, and Social Protection has called on journalists to help address the increasing rates of child betrothal, cohabitation, and ultimately marriage in communities through real advocacy and awareness.
Child marriage, often detrimental to the girl-child, has over the years inhibited the growth potential of affected girls, shutting down their dreams of becoming better versions of themselves and contributing meaningfully to family life and societal development.
Madam Saphia Tamimu, the Director in charge of the Child Marriage Unit at the Ministry, told journalists during an engagement on the “Child Marriage Portal” that adolescent pregnancies continued to drive child marriages in communities.
She indicated that in Ghana, over two million girls were victims of this repulsive cultural practice, contributing to the high poverty cycle along the chain.
She said despite the legal and policy environment to stop the practice, there was still cause for concern, and “this is the foremost reason for creating the Child Marriage Portal, to share information with stakeholders for more stringent interventions to end the practice by 2030.”
The Portal, created in 2021 with the domain www.cm.mogcsp.gov.gh, is funded by the UNFPA and is security certified to provide real-time data and information on the practice as well as allow direct feedback.
Madam Tamimu said Ghana was hoping to have zero child marriages by 2030, but it would require greater efforts from all, particularly male counterparts who were the perpetrators of the act.
“Girls cannot become brides until the stipulated age of marriage. What they need from society now is care, books, pens, and study assistance, not inappropriate behavior,” she emphasized.
The practice, Madam Tamimu said, had resulted in many unplanned pregnancies, which also put the health of the girls at greater risk.
Mr. Senanu Agbozo, the Consultant for the Portal, said the Portal presented aggregated information on the practice for all stakeholders to use.
This would help promote issues and discussions on the subject, advance policy advocacy, and develop preventive measures aimed at achieving the SDGs Goal 5.
Dr. Sampson Appiah, the Editorial Committee Head for the Portal, encouraged journalists to write short, relevant, and accurate stories on the child marriage situation for input into the Portal.
He acknowledged the effectiveness of the media in driving the needed change on the current situation and contributing to achieving the 2030 goal.
The Ministry of Gender, Children, and Social Protection also has toll-free numbers: 0800111222, 0800800800, and 0800900900 for complaints and other official inquiries on gender-based activities.
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