More Than 1,000 Children Trapped in Child Marriages in Nkwanta North
Child marriage continues to be prevalent among both boys and girls in Nkwanta North and other areas of the Oti Region, despite existing laws and policy frameworks aimed at its elimination.
In a 2023 report by the Ghana Statistical Service (GSS), it was revealed that among 3,728 documented cases of child marriages (ages 12 to 17) across eight districts in the region, Nkwanta North District accounted for a third of these cases (1,014 cases). This constitutes 27.3 percent of all child marriage cases in the region, with the Guan District recording the lowest incidence at 79 cases (2.1 percent).
The report further detailed that out of the 1,014 children involved in early marriages, 43 percent were boys and 57 percent were girls. Esther Hammond, Head of the Gender Department at the Oti Regional Coordinating Council (ORCC), explained to The Mirror that while some cases involved adult men marrying underage girls, others included situations where boys were either married to girls or engaged in cohabitation.
Ms. Esther Hammond, Head of the Gender Department at the Oti Regional Coordinating Council (ORCC), expressed deep concern over the prevalence of early marriages in Nkwanta North District and the wider region, describing it as detrimental to children’s overall development.
She highlighted that aside from the negative health consequences, early marriages significantly increased the risks of maternal and child mortality, perpetuated gender inequality, disrupted education, and exacerbated the cycle of poverty.
“The situation is alarming because it deprives girls of their right to education. Despite government policies allowing girls to return to school after childbirth, the mental impact often leads to dropout rates,” Ms. Hammond emphasized.
Despite global and national efforts to eradicate child marriages and similar harmful practices, these challenges persist, particularly affecting the lives and futures of young girls.
UNICEF estimates that globally, more than 12 million girls are married before turning 18 years old. In Ghana, recent data underscores the urgency of addressing this issue, as the 2021 Population and Housing Census revealed that 79,733 girls aged 12 to 17 years were either married or living with a partner.
This challenge is particularly pronounced in regions such as the North-East, Northern, Savannah, Upper West, Upper East, and Oti, where factors like adolescent pregnancy significantly contribute to the high prevalence of child marriage.
On a national scale, the Ghana Statistical Service (GSS) report indicated a decrease in the number and proportion of children who had ever been in a union over the past decade. However, as of 2021, over 100,000 children were reported to be in a union, highlighting the ongoing nature of the issue.
Additionally, the report highlighted that the incidence of child marriage increased in five regions — Northern, North East, Savannah, Upper East, and Upper West — from 2010 to 2021, despite a national decline of nearly half during the intercensal period.
The findings also revealed that a higher proportion of children who had ever been in a union had never attended school, and among those who had attended, a larger proportion were either currently not attending or had achieved lower educational levels compared to children who had never been in a union.
Moreover, the report underscored the heightened vulnerability of girls, noting that factors such as locality type, parental survival, and education exerted a greater influence on the likelihood of child marriage for girls compared to boys.
In response to the escalating rates of child marriages in Nkwanta North District, the Gender Department at the ORCC initiated stakeholder engagement efforts, supported by funding from the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA).
A consultative meeting was convened last week with community leaders in the Nkwanta North District to address the issue of child marriage and other harmful cultural practices. The gathering brought together 72 participants, including chiefs, opinion leaders, heads of clans, religious leaders, assembly members, women’s groups, youth groups, and other stakeholders from six communities — Nabu, Abunyanya, Danladi, Kabonwule, Koni, and Najingon.
The primary objective of the forum was to raise awareness about the adverse impacts of child marriage, deepen understanding of its local drivers, and equip community leaders with the knowledge and tools necessary to advocate for policy changes and implement local interventions.
Ms. Esther Hammond, leading the initiative from the Gender Department with support from UNFPA, emphasized that engaging stakeholders was crucial in developing tailored action plans to combat child marriage in the district. “The consultative workshop marks a significant milestone in our collective efforts to eradicate child marriage,” she stated. “By empowering community leaders as agents of change, we aim to safeguard the well-being of our children.”
She further highlighted that participants had committed to establishing child protection committees and collaborating closely with school authorities at the grassroots level to address the root causes of child marriages. Ms. Hammond expressed optimism that through collaborative efforts, stakeholders could create a future where every child could pursue their dreams and aspirations free from the threat of early marriage.
