Ghana is intensifying its efforts to end child marriage and protect the rights, health and future of adolescent girls, as the country continues to confront the social and economic factors that put girls at risk.
The Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection, Naa Momo Lartey, says the Ministry remains committed to strengthening gender-responsive interventions that promote women’s welfare, improve access to information, expand economic empowerment and increase women’s participation in household and community decision-making.
Speaking on efforts to address child marriage, the Minister said particular attention is being given to adolescent girls, whose vulnerability is often compounded by poverty, school dropout, limited access to sexual and reproductive health information and services, and early pregnancy.
She noted that adolescent pregnancy, particularly when it occurs in the context of poverty and child marriage, can have serious and lasting consequences for both mother and child.
According to the Minister, protecting girls from child marriage, violence and exploitation is not only a matter of protecting their rights, but also a critical part of Ghana’s broader efforts to improve maternal and child health outcomes.
“The protection of girls from child marriage, violence and exploitation is an essential part of our broader national efforts to improve maternal health outcomes.”
Naa Momo Lartey said the Ministry will continue to work closely with relevant government institutions, development partners, civil society organisations and communities to strengthen interventions that protect girls and create opportunities for them to thrive.
She stressed the importance of keeping girls in school, promoting their social and economic empowerment and addressing the underlying vulnerabilities that increase their risk of early marriage and pregnancy.
Investing in Girls, Investing in Ghana’s Future
Ending child marriage requires more than legislation and awareness. It demands sustained investment in education, economic empowerment, healthcare, child protection and community engagement.
For many girls, remaining in school can be a powerful protection against early marriage and pregnancy. Education provides them with knowledge, confidence and opportunities to build independent and productive futures.
Economic empowerment is equally important. Supporting families and communities to overcome poverty can help reduce the pressures that sometimes lead to girls being married at an early age.
The fight against child marriage therefore requires a collective commitment from government, traditional and religious leaders, families, communities, civil society organisations, development partners and young people themselves.
A Call to Protect Every Girl
Ghana’s renewed commitment sends a clear message: every girl deserves the opportunity to grow, learn, dream and determine her own future without the threat of child marriage, violence or exploitation.
As the country strengthens its interventions, the focus remains on creating an environment where girls are protected, empowered and given every opportunity to reach their full potential.
The journey to ending child marriage may be challenging, but with strong leadership, coordinated action and sustained investment in girls, Ghana can continue to make meaningful progress.
Protecting a girl today is an investment in the mother, leader, professional and changemaker she can become tomorrow. Ending child marriage is not simply about changing statistics—it is about transforming lives and securing a better future for generations to come.
