Over 1,000 Children Locked in Child Marriages in Nkwanta North

A recent report by the Ghana Statistical Service (GSS) has revealed that more than 1,000 children between the ages of 12 and 17 have been involved in early marriages in the Nkwanta North District of the Oti Region in 2023.

The report highlighted that out of the 1,014 cases of child marriages recorded, 43 percent involved boys while 57 percent involved girls.

Nkwanta North District has emerged with the highest incidence of child marriages among the eight municipal and district assemblies in the region, accounting for 27.3 percent of the total 3,728 cases reported.

In contrast, the Guan District reported the lowest cases, with only 79 cases, representing 2.1 percent.

Esther Hammond, Head of the Gender Department at the Oti Regional Coordinating Council (ORCC), expressed deep concern over the prevalence of early marriages in the district.

She pointed out that these marriages, whether involving adult men and underage girls or boys in cohabitation, pose serious risks to the children’s well-being and development.

Hammond highlighted the detrimental effects of child marriages, including poor health outcomes, increased risks of maternal and child mortality, reinforced gender inequality, disrupted education, and perpetuated cycles of poverty.

She emphasized that these practices not only deprive girls of their right to education but also negatively impact their mental health, often leading to school dropouts even after childbirth.

Despite global and national efforts to eradicate child marriages, the practice remains a significant challenge in Ghana.

The United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) estimates that over 12 million girls worldwide are married before the age of 18.

In Ghana, the 2021 Population and Housing Census reported that 79,733 girls aged 12 to 17 years were either married or living with a partner.

To combat the rising cases of child marriages in Nkwanta North, the Department of Gender at ORCC, with support from the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), has initiated stakeholder engagements.

A recent consultative meeting brought together community leaders, including chiefs, opinion leaders, religious leaders, and youth groups from six communities.

Participants at the meeting resolved to establish child protection committees and collaborate closely with school authorities to address the root causes of child marriages.