Keep girls in school, not in marriage — Girl Child Coordinator

Parents have been urged to prioritise girls’ education over early marriage to protect them from losing their childhood, education and opportunities for a better future.

The Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolitan Girl Child Coordinator, Madam Margaret Blay, said child marriage disrupted girls’ education, threatened their health and well-being, and limited their ability to realise their full potential.

“Keep her in school, not in a man’s house,” she urged parents, stressing the need for families and communities to protect girls’ right to education and personal development.

She made the call in a welcome address at the 2026 celebration of the International Day of the Girl Child in the Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolis, held under the theme: “End Child Marriage and Invest in Girls’ Rights.”

Madam Blay said ending child marriage required collective action from parents, teachers, traditional leaders, government institutions and communities to ensure that girls were protected and given the opportunity to pursue their aspirations.

She noted that child marriage often forced girls out of school before they were physically, emotionally and socially prepared for the responsibilities associated with marriage.

She said investing in girls’ rights was not merely a moral obligation but also an investment in the future of communities and the nation.

According to her, girls who remained in school, had their voices heard and received the necessary support could grow into leaders, professionals, innovators and active contributors to national development.

Madam Blay called on teachers to protect girls’ access to education, create supportive learning environments and empower them to express themselves confidently.

She also appealed to traditional leaders to help address harmful cultural practices and social norms that denied girls opportunities to develop their potential.

The government and relevant institutions, she said, must strengthen the enforcement of child protection laws to ensure that every girl received adequate protection.

She further urged communities to speak out against child marriage, report cases and work together to create safe environments where girls could learn, grow and thrive.

Madam Blay said every girl deserved the freedom to dream, acquire an education and determine her own future.

She expressed the hope that the celebration would strengthen stakeholders’ collective resolve to end child marriage and invest in the rights, education and future of every girl.

Madam Karen Ama Moses, Assembly Member for the Takoradi Railway and Harbour Electoral Area, said keeping girls in school would lead to enlightened mothers, well-informed families, resilient communities and, ultimately, a better Ghana.

She stressed that no child should be forced into marriage, adding that “every child must have the freedom to learn, grow, dream and choose her future.”

Some of the schoolchildren expressed concern that their parents did not always listen to their concerns during difficult times, while others said some children were exposed to abuse and early marriage.

Madam Henrietta Quabu, the Metropolitan School Health Coordinator, urged children experiencing abuse or any situation that threatened their well-being to report to the police, the Department of Social Welfare, the media, their teachers or the Metropolitan Education Directorate for assistance.

— GNA

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