Eastern Regional Minister, Hon. Rita Akosua Awatey, has described the fight against child marriage as a critical investment in Ghana’s future, throwing her full support behind a declaration by the New Juaben Traditional Council to end child marriage and all harmful traditional practices within the area.
Addressing a durbar held as part of the Akwasidae Festival in Koforidua on the theme, “End Child Marriage and All Harmful Traditional Practices,” the Regional Minister said child marriage continues to deny children, especially girls, their fundamental rights to education, good health, personal development and dignity.
“Child marriage exposes girls to early pregnancy, serious health risks, emotional trauma and poverty, and limits their ability to contribute meaningfully to national development,” She stated.
“Ending child marriage is not only a moral responsibility of our leaders and traditional authorities, but a critical investment in Ghana’s future.”
The Paramount Chief of the New Juaben Traditional Area and President of the New Juaben Traditional Council, Daasebre Nana Kwaku Boateng III, declared zero tolerance for child marriage and all harmful traditional practices in the area.
“As Paramount Chief of the New Juaben Traditional Area, I declare our unwavering commitment to end child marriage and all harmful traditional practices within our community,” he said. “I pledge to stand with my queen mother and all stakeholders to actively promote awareness, education and community-led initiatives that protect the rights, dignity and wellbeing of our girls and all children.”
He added that the traditional council would champion sustained public education and community engagement to ensure that every child in New Juaben is safe, empowered and able to fulfil their full potential.
The declaration follows a capacity-building workshop on teenage pregnancy and sexual and gender-based violence organised by the Obaapa Development Foundation (ODF) for traditional leaders and community stakeholders in New Juaben.
Although the prevalence of child marriage and harmful practices against girls in New Juaben is relatively low, national figures paint a worrying picture.
Data from the Ghana Statistical Service, based on the 2021 Population and Housing Census, shows that 79,733 girls aged 12 to 17 in Ghana are either married or living with a partner. Out of this number, 25,999 are of Junior High School age (12–14 years).
The census further revealed that 244,731 girls aged 6 to 14 years have never attended school, while nationally, 7.8 per cent, representing 285,271 girls, are currently not attending school, with 75.8 per cent of them living in rural areas.
Additionally, 99,150 girls under the age of 15 are engaged in harmful economic activities, nearly half of whom are out of school.
The New Juaben Traditional Council says it will also intensive surveillance to end child marriage and harmful practices.
Developmental Issues
The Omanhene of New Juaben,Daasebre Nana Kwaku Boateng III commended the government, led by President John Dramani Mahama, for its swift response to the Traditional Council’s request for the construction of the Koforidua Central Market, following engagements facilitated by the Eastern Regional Minister.
In response, the Regional Minister, Rita Akosua Adjei Awatey, reaffirmed government’s intention to expand infrastructure development across the Eastern Region to boost local economic activities. She disclosed that plans are far advanced for the construction of the Koforidua Central Market, alongside the rehabilitation of other markets in the region.
“We want to assure you of our commitment to development, not only in Juaben but across the entire Eastern Region,” she said. “With the support of our Municipal Chief Executives and Members of Parliament, we are going to transform Juabenman and the Eastern Region as a whole.”
The Minister further revealed that government has initiated several development projects in the region, including the provision of 66 boreholes and 66 new schools, and assured residents that work on the central market would commence soon.
She also announced that vehicles have been procured for schools in the region, with SDA School in Koforidua already receiving a brand-new vehicle.
Source: Starrfm.com.gh
