A Non-Governmental Organisation(NGO), Girls Not Brides Ghana has highlighted and proposed solutions to address legislative gaps in child marriage and customary laws.
The proposals were the outcome of the Zonal Conferences for Traditional and Religious Leaders and Media Stakeholders in Ghana.
Themed “Pathways to Ghana’s Progress: Addressing Legislative Gaps in Child Marriage and Customary Laws,” the group convened in the Northern Zone on November 20, 2024, and the Southern Zone on December 3, 2024.
The conferences brought together traditional and religious leaders, media stakeholders, government officials, youth advocates, and civil society organisations to address the pervasive issue of child marriage in Ghana.
Participants acknowledged the importance of collective action to end child marriage and promote the rights of children in Ghana.
The participants among other things established that legislation should hold parents, participants, and sponsors of child marriages accountable with strict penalties.
Girls Not Brides Ghana and conference participants recognised education as a powerful tool for personal development and social transformation, capable of delaying child and forced marriages.
They urged the Government of Ghana to address legislative gaps, build synergies between customary and national laws, align with international standards, and implement strong enforcement mechanisms.
The conference emphasised the importance of collective action in ending child marriage and promoting children’s rights in Ghana.
Participants committed to holding themselves accountable for implementing the resolutions and action points outlined in this communiqué.
The communiqué was adopted on December 3, 2024, at the Miklin Hotel, East Legon.
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Below is the full communiqué on the pathways: