A recent 2023 report from the Ghana Statistical Service (GSS) has revealed a concerning trend in the Nkwanta North District of the Oti Region, where more than 1,000 children aged between 12 and 17 years have been involved in marital unions.
Out of the 1,014 children involved in early marriage, 43 per cent were boys, while 57 per cent were girls.
This data sheds light on the prevalence of child marriages in the region, with Nkwanta North District accounting for 27.3 per cent of the 3,728 cases reported across eight municipal and district assemblies in the Oti Region.
Ms. Esther Hammond, Head of the Gender Department at the Oti Regional Coordinating Council (ORCC), expressed deep concern over the situation, emphasizing its detrimental effects on the overall development of the children.
She highlighted the risks of poor health outcomes, increased maternal and child mortality, entrenched gender inequality, disrupted education, and perpetuation of the cycle of poverty associated with early marriages.
To address this issue, the ORCC, with funding support from the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), initiated stakeholder engagement activities.
A recent consultative meeting was held with community leaders to raise awareness about the negative effects of child marriage and to develop tailored action plans to prevent such practices.
The meeting, attended by 72 participants from six communities, aimed to equip community leaders with the knowledge and tools needed to advocate for policy changes and local interventions.
Ms. Hammond emphasized the importance of collective action in ending child marriage, stating that empowering community leaders could ensure the protection and well-being of children in the district.
Moving forward, stakeholders have resolved to establish child protection committees and collaborate closely with school authorities to address the root causes of child marriages.