Early Marriage Among Northern Girls On The Rise

About 39% of girls between the ages of eight to 15 years in the three Northern regions of Ghana are engaged in early marriage, according to available statistics referred to by Madam Ajaratu Lampinley, Principal Health Tutor of the Kumasi Nurses and Midwifery Training College.

Speaking at the first Town Hall meeting to 'End Child Marriage Now' campaign with faith leaders and Chiefs organised by the World Vision International at the Kumasi Central mosque, she said the only way the perpetrators get their way out is to impregnate the girls they marry, which leads to poverty in the lives of both the husband and the young girl.

He challenged parents to show commitment by taking keen interest in the lives and education of their wards and to protect them, which she noted is the only legacy they can guarantee them for a better future and to become responsible adults in the society.

She lamented that, about 65% of the girls below 18 years unfortunately lost their lives during child birth and disclosed that these 65% also encounter the consequences of early child delivery, which could also be Recto Virginal Fistula or Vesico Virginal Fistula during delivery.

Mr. Richard Okine, Programme effectiveness Director of World Vision International explained that, there is increase of child marriage in the three Northern regions of Ghana, which causes maternal death during delivery.

He said the World Vision as International Transformational Organisation aims at resolving such issues and promote the well-being of children.

According to him, World Vision is working with Muslim organisations and embarking on a campaign to end child marriage, which he said leads to poverty.

He disclosed that, they are determined to work with them to find a solution and expressed the hope that, with the support and commitment from the Muslim leaders and pastors, they would realise their aim to eliminate or reduce the early child marriages and poverty, among the three Northern regions and Ghana as a whole.

Mr. A Hassan, the organiser of the Muslim groups commended World Vision for educating them on the need to stop early child marriage and the negative effect it has on the victims.

He urged them not to make the exercise a nine day wonder, but continue to other areas and communities to ensure that it is halted.