We shouldn't move legal age for sex to 18; we just have to educate children — Justice Bartels-Kodwo

Supreme Court nominee Justice Janapare Adzua Bartels-Kodwo has opposed calls for the legal age for sex to be raised to 18 to match the constitutional age for marriage.

Appearing before Parliament’s Appointments Committee on Tuesday, June 17, the nominee argued that education, not legislation, is the most effective way to address the moral and legal dilemma created by the current gap between the age of sexual consent and the age of marriage.

This contrasts with a statement by a fellow nominee, Sir Dennis Dominic Adjei, who described the disparity as a gap that needs to be bridged to better protect Ghanaian children.

Ghana’s constitution permits consensual sex at 16 but bars individuals under 18 from marrying, a situation critics argue encourages exploitation and puts minors, especially girls, at risk.

Justice Bartels-Kodwo, however, maintained that a legal change alone will not solve the problem. According to her, the focus should rather be on empowering young girls to stay in school and develop life skills that delay early sexual activity and marriage.

“I think education is a natural contraceptive. The longer the girl child stays in school, the longer it will get to the point of settling down to have a family,” she told the committee.

She stressed that addressing such social issues requires more than just laws.

“If we move the gap, and we even make it 18 or 21, I am sure we’ll come back and have the same conversation,” said the Appeals Court judge.