United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Has Intensified Its Campaign Against Child Marriage

The Volta Regional office of the Department of Gender with support from United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) has intensified its campaign against child marriage in the region.

To this end, the Department has begun engaging traditional and religious leaders and other stakeholders to develop a roadmap to review progress and challenges in implementing plans to end child marriage in the region.

At one of such engagements at Ave Dakpa in the Akatsi North District, stakeholders emphasised the importance of empowering young people, especially girls, to make informed decisions about their sexual health and well-being.

The Department has ensured that traditional leaders have been actively engaged in community outreach programs, working with churches, schools, and parents to educate them on the causes of early marriage and teenage pregnancy.

The Volta Regional Director for the Department of Gender is optimistic that this will enable traditional authorities to make bylaws and advocate for the eradication of outmoded cultural practices that drive child marriage within their communities.

The Paramount Queen of Ave Xevi, Mamaga Awutorlewe alludes that the Xevi Traditional Council has been conducting advocacy programs in their communities to educate parents, students, and teachers on the importance of girls’ education and the dangers of teenage pregnancy.

The District Coordinating Director for Akatsi North District Assembly, Ruby Sitsope Besaga expressed concern about the high rate of teenage pregnancy and child labor in the district.

She urges parents to take good care of their children, especially girls, and to prioritize their education.

The District Director of Health, Timothy Mahama disclosed that the district recorded a decline in the cases of teenage pregnancies in its 2024 statistics compared to the 2022/23 figures.

He added that traditional leaders are thrilled about the progress and they have promised to continue working with stakeholders to ensure that the gains are sustained.

The Regional Director for the Department of Children Protection, Israel Akrobotu, said, it takes a village to raise a child hence the need to design programmes for mothers, fathers, and the community entirely to protect children’s rights and promote their well-being.

The meeting is part of efforts to support traditional leaders in implementing their plans to end child marriage and promote girls’ education in Ghana.

By working together, communities can create a safer and more supportive environment for children to thrive.

Source : V/R