Faith-Based Organisations urged to lead fight against child marriage in Upper East

The Upper East Regional Gender Officer, James Twene, has called on faith-based organizations and all stakeholders to use their platforms to advocate for an end to child marriage in the region.

He made this call as the Ministry of Local Governance, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, in partnership with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), held a one-day stakeholder engagement with faith-based organisations to address harmful practices, gender issues and social norms in the Upper East Region. 

Speaking to the media, Mr Twene explained that the focus of the engagement was to deepen collaboration with faith-based and traditional leaders, given their strong influence within communities. He noted that child marriage violates the fundamental human rights of children and is prohibited under international conventions as well as Ghana’s national laws.

“Today, we are engaging the faith-based organization and the various religious leaders and our traditional rulers in the area of child marriage. Child marriage is against fundamental human rights of every child.”

Globally, more than 650 million people are married before reaching adulthood, making child marriage a significant international concern. “Looking at the whole child marriage situation, Globally, over 650 million marry before the age of 18.” 

Turning attention to the regional context, Mr Twene revealed that child marriage remains prevalent in several communities across the Upper East Region. He explained that addressing the issue requires collective responsibility, which informed the decision to engage traditional authorities and religious leaders who wield cultural and moral influence over their subjects.

He highlighted that national child marriage rates have declined from about 34 percent in the late 1980s to approximately 19 percent currently. Despite this progress, he stressed the need for sustained collective action to meet national targets of reducing child marriage to about 10–12 percent by 2030 and further to 5 percent by 2050.

In the Upper East Region, child marriage prevalence stands at around 28 percent, which is higher than the national average. “In the Upper East Region, it is around 28% as a country. But we expect that we will reduce it to the barest minimum.” 

According to the Regional Gender Officer, teenage pregnancy is the leading driver of child marriage in the region, often compounded by poverty. In many cases, families push pregnant girls into marriage due to economic hardship.

He also identified cultural norms, including preference for male children, as contributing factors. “The key driver is teenage pregnancy, and it’s an issue. The majority of the girls, once they get pregnant, the parents, because of the poverty, will push the girl to marry. So, teenage pregnancy is a key driver of child marriage. And of course, our traditions, our culture,” he said. 

The engagement further highlighted the severe consequences of child marriage, including school dropout, health complications during childbirth due to underdeveloped bodies, and increased vulnerability to gender-based violence. Early marriage often leaves young girls dependent on spouses who may lack the resources to support them, exposing them to various forms of abuse.

Mr Twene encouraged participants to return to their communities to educate members on the dangers and long-term impacts of child marriage. The Ministry and UNFPA emphasised that meaningful progress can only be achieved through coordinated efforts involving traditional leaders, religious authorities, families and institutions.

The engagement, which took place on December 15, 2025 at Extee Hotel in Bolgatanga, brought together religious leaders, traditional rulers, representatives of faith-based organisations and media practitioners, underscoring their critical roles in reshaping social norms and protecting the rights and wellbeing of children across the Upper East Region.

Source: A1 Radio | 101.1Mhz | Gifty Eyram Kudiabor | Bolgatanga