Introduce legislation to end child marriage

The Net Organization for Youth Empowerment and Development (NOYED – Ghana), has urged government and parents to work for the interest of children, by introducing a legislation to strictly monitor and prevent the occurrence of child marriages in the country.

The call was contained in a statement issued by NOYED – Ghana, signed by its Executive Director, Mr. Alhassan Abdulai Iddi, and copied to the Ghana News Agency in Tamale on Thursday.

The statement, which was to mark the Universal Children’s Day, said “It is outrageous that in 2014, about 25 per cent of girls in Ghana entered marriage before the age of 18.”

The United Nation’s Universal Children’s Day was established in 1954, and it is celebrated on November 20 each year, to promote international togetherness, awareness among children worldwide, and improve children's welfare.

The statement said “The statistics for Northern Ghana are some of the highest in the world, with 50 per cent of girls in the Upper East Region, 39 per cent in the Upper West Region and 36 per cent in the Northern Region, being married before they turn 18 years.”

It pointed out that “Child marriage has huge implications on sexual reproductive health, with only 13 per cent of girls choosing or being allowed to use contraception after marriage.”

The statement said “it is common for girls to become pregnant immediately after marriage, and for girls under 18, this increases their chances of developing obstetric fistula and other maternal health issues,” one of the projects being implemented by NOYED – Ghana.

It emphasized the need to educate parents on the rights of girls, and the consequences of child marriage to end the practice.