Ghana to Eliminate Child Marriage By 2026 – Gender Minister
The Minister of Gender and Social Protection, Otiko Afisa Djaba, has stated that Ghana has made significant strides in ending child marriage by 2026
She indicated that child marriage hitherto has been a predominant phenomenon in Ghana, but successive governments, especially the ruling New Patriotic Party government has made significant efforts in curtailing the practice.
Ms Afisa Djaba said the Ministry will be organizing an African Child Summit, a maiden child conference on ending child marriage and all negative traditional and social practices in Ghana.
She added that apart from various legislations that allow the right of children, the Ministry has adopted a comprehensive national child marriage plan of action to curb the menace.
The Minister who was speaking on the Floor of Parliament yesterday to mark the ‘Day of The African Child 2018’ in honor of children said the national framework aims at ending child marriage by 2026.
The day also honors children who died in Soweto, South Africa whilst protesting against the treatment of children under the Apartheid regime.
The day is celebrated on June 16th every year since 1991 and the theme for this year’s celebration is “leave no child behind for Africa’s Development”.
According to the minister, the day presents an opportunity to all stakeholders including non-governmental organizations, civil society, to reflect on issues affecting children in Ghana and in Africa.
She said the theme indicates that, no child should be left behind in the struggle to end inequality.
By: Frederick E. Aggrey
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