{
  "id": 13246011,
  "title": "ActionAid Ghana calls for an end to child marriage, greater investment in girls’ rights",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/09/actionaid-ghana-calls-for-an-end-to-child-marriage-greater-investment",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-09T23:05:02.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "MyJoyOnline Ghana",
    "slug": "myjoyonline-ghana",
    "url": "https://www.myjoyonline.com/actionaid-ghana-calls-for-end-to-child-marriage-greater-investment-in-girls-rights/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "ActionAid Ghana is advocating for an end to child marriage and increased investment in girls' rights, education, and leadership. At the 2026 International Day of the Girl-Child celebration in Techiman, Bono East Region, Regional Programme Manager Kwame Afram Denkyira emphasized that girls should be seen as rights-holders and change-makers, not victims needing rescue. He listed challenges such as school-related gender-based violence, early forced marriage, digital exclusion, climate change effects, and austerity measures. Denkyira highlighted how silence, impunity, and patriarchy enable perpetrators to harm survivors, necessitating stronger accountability systems. Ellen White Opoku, Techiman Municipal Girl-Child Coordinator, urged collective action from parents, traditional authorities, religious leaders, and law enforcement to combat child marriage and protect girls. ActionAid Ghana called for government, Parliament, local authorities, and traditional leaders to take practical steps, including implementing child protection laws (like the Children’s Act, 1998) and adopting gender-responsive budgets. ActionAid Ghana's Country Director emphasized that girls are rights-holders and leaders, not victims to be rescued. The organization remains committed to supporting traditional authorities, education stakeholders, and communities in the Bono East Region to promote equality, dignity, and justice for girls.",
  "summary": "ActionAid Ghana has called for stronger measures to end child marriage and school-related abuse, urging government and community leaders to invest more in girls’ rights, education and leadership. The call was made during the 2026 International Day of the Girl-Child celebration in Techiman, Bono East Region, held under the theme “End Child Marriage and Invest in Girls’ Rights.” Addressing…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}