She said eliminating child marriage was possible when there was collaboration amongst stakeholders because it was a shared responsibility.

Dr Zakariah made the call in a speech read on her behalf at the National Stakeholders’ Meeting to review the Operational Plan on child marriage in the country, organised by the Gender Ministry and the Domestic Violence Secretariat.

In 2014, the Government accepted the universal call to end child marriage in accordance with several International conventions and declarations, and took measures to address child marriage comprehensIvely across the nation.

The Gender Ministry through the Domestic Violence Secretariat plays a leadng role in the coord?nation of national efforts towards curbing and ult?mately end?ng ch?ld marr?age by 2030.

The National Operational, Monitoring and Evaluation Plan (2020-2021) is part of the Ghana National Strategic Framework to End Child Mariage developed by the Domestic Violence Secretariat in consultation with other Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) and partners.

The first version of the document was developed in 2017, applicable from 2017-2018 whiles the second version was updated and revised in 2019 in a consultative manner.

The framework seeks to provide an integrated vision and clear direction to all sectors at various levels involved with prevention and response efforts at addressing child marriage.

The Chief Director urged the stakeholders to work with other agencies and stakeholders, including girls in their towns and communities to curb the practice.

She noted that the general and peculiar drivers of child marriage were multifaceted, hence, “no stone should be left unturned” in the fight against the menace.

Dr Zakariah said it was the Ministry’s desire to see adolescent girls in the country, especially the most marginalised, fully enjoy their childhood free from the risks of marriage, cohabitation and pregnancy.

She said it would be important for the girls to experience healthier, safer and more empowered life transitions while in control of their lives, including making choices and decisions about their education, sexuality, protection, relationship or marriage and childbearing.

The Chief Director underscored the need to invest in strengthening institutions to end child marriage and transform lives, improve wellbeing of children as well as improve the overall economic development of the nation.

She stated that a research by the World Bank in 2018 showed that that the economic costs of child marriage were large meanwhile the economic benefits of ending child marriage were significant.

“Ending child marriage would therefore contribute to economic development and the alleviation of poverty in the country,” she said.

Madam Miho Yoshikawa, Child Protection Specialist, commended the Ministry for making significant strides in addressing child marriage issues.

Mr Peter Takyi Peprah, Assistant Chief Statistician and Director of Field Operations, Ghana Statistical Service, appealed to the Ghana Education Service to include the education on child marriage in schools’ curriculum to sensitise girls at the early stage.

She expressed gratitude to the United Nations Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) and United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) for their continuous support to the Ministry.