Ghana Reinforces National Drive to End Child Marriage Through Strategic Stakeholders Meeting
The Child Marriage Unit of the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection (MoGCSP), with the support of UNFPA Ghana and UNICEF Ghana, has convened a high-level National Stakeholders’ Meeting aimed at strengthening coordinated action to end child marriage in Ghana. The two-day meeting, held in Accra, brought together representatives from government institutions, civil society organisations, development partners, academia, and child protection agencies to assess progress, share experiences, and chart a clear path forward.
Held under the theme “Achieving Gender Equality, Empowering Futures: Accelerating Action to End Child Marriage,” the meeting served as a platform for reflection and renewed commitment. Participants reviewed activities implemented during the year, examined emerging trends, and discussed persistent challenges that continue to place children particularly girls at risk of early and forced marriage. The discussions highlighted the importance of aligning national policies with community-level interventions to ensure lasting impact.
One of the key outcomes of the meeting was the launch and dissemination of the Operational Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) Plan for 2025–2026. This plan provides a structured framework for tracking progress, measuring results, and improving accountability among institutions involved in child marriage prevention. By establishing clear indicators, baselines, and targets, the M&E plan is expected to enhance evidence-based programming and strengthen coordination across sectors.
Stakeholders also held in-depth discussions on the roadmap toward developing a National Strategic Framework on Ending Child Marriage for 2027. This framework is expected to guide long-term national efforts and ensure continuity in policy direction. Participants stressed the importance of inclusive consultations during its development, noting that meaningful input from ministries, civil society, traditional authorities, and young people is critical to its success.
Speaking on behalf of the Ministry, the Director of the Social Protection Directorate, Madam Francisca Atuluk, reaffirmed the government’s unwavering commitment to eliminating child marriage. She acknowledged the progress Ghana has made through legislative reforms, social protection programmes, and public education initiatives, but cautioned that the practice remains prevalent in certain regions. According to her, poverty, entrenched cultural norms, gender inequality, and limited access to education continue to drive early marriage.
Madam Atuluk emphasised that child marriage is not only a violation of children’s rights but also a major obstacle to national development. Girls who marry early are more likely to drop out of school, face health complications, and experience economic dependency later in life. She noted that ending child marriage is therefore central to achieving gender equality, improving health outcomes, and promoting inclusive economic growth. She urged stakeholders to maintain momentum and work collaboratively toward shared national goals.
The Head of the Child Marriage Unit, Madam Saphia Tamimu, highlighted the importance of partnership and collective ownership of the national agenda. She noted that government leadership must be complemented by strong collaboration with civil society organisations, development partners, community leaders, and families. According to her, sustainable change depends on using data to guide interventions, scaling up successful models, and engaging communities to challenge harmful social norms.
Representatives from UNFPA and UNICEF reiterated that child marriage has far-reaching consequences for individuals, families, and society as a whole. They emphasised that the practice exposes girls to early pregnancy, gender-based violence, and lifelong socioeconomic disadvantages. While acknowledging Ghana’s steady progress in reducing child marriage over the years, they stressed that continued investment, innovation, and political commitment are required to fully eliminate the practice.
The meeting also featured presentations on planned interventions for 2025, including updates on the implementation of the Ghana Transformative Agenda Roadmap, civil society-led initiatives focused on girls’ empowerment, and community-based strategies designed to shift attitudes and behaviours. Participants discussed the importance of strengthening data collection, improving referral systems for at-risk children, and expanding educational and economic opportunities for adolescent girls.
The stakeholders’ meeting concluded with a strong call for coordinated, results-driven action guided by robust monitoring systems and shared accountability. Participants expressed confidence that with sustained collaboration, adequate resourcing, and community engagement, Ghana can accelerate progress toward ending child marriage. The collective resolve demonstrated at the meeting reaffirmed the national commitment to protecting children’s rights and ensuring that every girl has the opportunity to grow, learn, and thrive free from early and forced marriage.
