Child marriage: Progress made, but millions of girls still at risk in India, say experts

More than 500 girls from schools in Techiman South Municipality were empowered during the International Day of the Girl Child celebration organised by the Ghana Education Service. The event, held under the theme "End Child Marriage and Invest in Girls’ Rights," brought together students, teachers, traditional leaders, judicial officers, and development partners.

Techiman South Municipal GES Girl’s Child Coordinator, Madam Ellen-White Opoku, highlighted the programme's impact in inspiring young girls and guiding them to achieve their goals as future leaders. Madam Opoku noted that child marriage remains a significant challenge in the municipality, with recent cases leading to school dropouts.

The MP for Techiman South, Martin Kwaku Adjei-Mensah Korsah, called for stiffer punishment for those defiling school girls and for parents who force children into early marriage. He expressed concern over the increasing cases and highlighted the need to protect the investment in young girls' education. The Bono East Regional Programmes Manager for ActionAid Ghana, Kwame Afram Denkyira, emphasized that the commemoration should address structural injustices such as school-related gender-based violence, early and forced marriages, and digital exclusion.

Techiman Circuit Court Judge, Her Worship Sandra Xorlali Lovison, educated participants on the Children’s Act, explaining that it makes child marriage a criminal offence. Nana Ama Asantewaa Munufie II, the Banmuhemaa of the Techiman Traditional Area, described child marriage as a practice that destroys girls' futures and urged girls facing forced marriage to report to authorities.