In Ghana, a marriage before the age of 18 is considered child marriage. According to a report by United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF), more than 21% of women aged 20 to 24 in Ghana were married before the age of 18.
In some regions, the numbers are much higher, with as many as 40 percent of girls marrying before they turned 18 in the Upper East, Upper West, and Northern regions. The Ghanaian government recognises the need to address child marriage, and has made efforts to eliminate the practice.
In 2015, the government launched a campaign titled “End Child Marriage” to raise awareness about the harmful effects of child marriage, and encouraged communities to take action.
Several non-governmental organisations (NGOs) are also working towards ending child marriage in Ghana. Plan International, for example, runs programmes that promote girls’ education, provides economic opportunities for families to reduce their dependence on marriage income, and advocates for legal reforms and supportive policies.
Girls in rural areas are more vulnerable to child marriage due to their limited access to information, education, and healthcare. Poverty is also a major factor, with parents often forcing their daughters into marriages as a means of financial support, as well as to reduce the burden of feeding and caring for them.
One typical example of early child marriage in Ghana is the case of 14-year-old Ama (not her real name), who lost her parents at age 10 and was left in the care of her grandmother, who forced her to marry a 48-year-old man, and had her first baby at 13 years.
Ama’s family lived in a small farming village in the Ashanti Region, where traditional practices were highly valued and closely followed. Unfortunately, one of these practices was for girls to be married off at an early age. Ama was born into a poor family, and her grandparent saw her as a burden, as they could not afford to provide for her.
“I wanted to finish my education and become a nurse,” Ama says. “But my grandparents said they couldn’t afford it, and that getting married was the best option for me.”
Ama’s story is not uncommon in Ghana. Girls like her face significant barriers to education and are often forced into domestic duties at a young age. This not only deprives them off their childhood, but also limits their ability to learn and grow to contribute to their communities.
Child marriage also has severe health consequences. Girls who marry early are more likely to have children at a young age, leading to a higher risk of complications during pregnancy and childbirth. They may also be more susceptible to sexually transmitted infections and cervical cancer.
Child marriage also perpetuates the cycle of poverty and inequality in Ghana. Girls who are married at a young age are less likely to receive an education, secure employment, and contribute to their household’s income. They are also more likely to experience domestic violence and abuse.
The effects of early child marriage on the education and development of girls in Ghana
Early child marriage in Ghana heavily affects the education and development of girls. Child brides are often forced to leave school before they complete their education, cutting off their future opportunities for growth and prosperity.
This not only limits their economic opportunities but also prevents them from engaging in activities that can boost their cognitive development and social skills.
In addition, many girls who marry early may be too young to navigate the social and sexual dynamics of a marriage, putting them at risk of physical, emotional, and sexual abuse.
Studies show that early marriages have a higher likelihood of ending in divorce and that child brides are more likely to experience violence than women who marry later in life.
Early child marriage can also lead to health issues such as maternal and infant mortality and morbidity, as underage girls are not physically or emotionally mature enough to bear children.
The education and development of girls in Ghana have improved significantly in recent years, thanks to government-led initiatives. However, early child marriage remains a significant barrier to progress.
To achieve gender equality and women’s empowerment across all spheres of the society, early child marriage needs to be eradicated, and girls should be given access to education to achieve their full potential.
Ways of empowering young girls in the communities against early child marriage in Ghana
Empowering young girls against early childhood marriage in Ghana is crucial to ensuring that they have the opportunity to reach their full potential. Due to various societal and economic factors, early marriage remains a prevalent practice in Ghana, robbing girls of their rights to education, health, and social development.
At the community level, efforts are being made to change cultural attitudes and behaviors that support child marriage. This includes engaging community leaders, traditional rulers, and religious leaders in discussions about the harmful effects of child marriage and advocating for positive norms that support girls’ education and empowerment.
To prevent early childhood marriages and empower girls, the following measures could be implemented:
- Education: Education is a fundamental right that every child should have with no discrimination. Girls in Ghana are often prevented from accessing education, reducing their opportunities for growth and development. Educating and empowering girls in Ghana can help break down barriers to gender inequality and ensure they receive an education. Encouraging and enabling girls to pursue their education can offer protection against child marriage.
- Provision of Health Services: Poverty and lack of access to healthcare in Ghana can pose a risk to the well-being of girls. Ensuring access to healthcare services, particularly reproductive and sexual health services, can help young girls avoid early conception.
- Economic Empowerment: Provision of opportunities for girls to add voice to sustainable economic decisions within their communities or households can reduce the pressure to marry early. When girls’ economic agencies are improved, it leads to their financial stability and independence and has the potential for poverty reduction.
- Girl-Child Empowerment Programs through Community Engagement: Encouraging collaborations between institutions, community leaders, policymakers, and development agencies in the implementation of front-line initiatives to empower girls and prevent early childhood marriages is integral. Getting traditional and cultural leaders involved in the conversation can help identify the root causes of early childhood marriage and establish action steps to improve the lives of girls.
In conclusion, efforts need to be made to end early childhood marriages and empower young girls in Ghana.
Education, provision of health services, economic empowerment, and community engagement are area aspects of empowering girls against early childhood marriages.
Once these interventions are implemented and enforced, it will enable the girls to access all opportunities available, ensuring that they participate in the social, economic and political sphere of their society.
In conclusion, child marriage is a significant obstacle to girls’ education and development in Ghana. The country needs sustained efforts at all levels to eliminate the practice and create a more equitable and just society for girls.
This requires a holistic approach that addresses the root causes of child marriage, provides the necessary support and resources to affected communities, and enables girls to achieve their full potential. Only then can we ensure that every girl in Ghana is free to grow, learn, and fulfill her dreams.
The views expressed in this article are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect The Chronicle’s stance.
