On Tuesday March 18, 2025, at the Catholic Pastoral Centre in Tamale, the Africa Faith and Justice Network–Ghana (AFJN- Ghana) held a one-day Stakeholders Policy briefing on the theme: Together we can end early and child marriage and domestic servitude.
The workshop, organized in collaboration with Dominicans for Justic and Peace, brought together key stakeholders, including the Regional Minister, officials of various government agencies, Muslim and Christian religious leaders, traditional rulers, Civil and Social Organizations (CSOs) and other opinion leaders in the northern Ghana and beyond. The aim was to reflect upon the negative effects of early and child marriage and domestic servitude. especially on girls in Ghana and also, to formulate policies and strategies to eradicate these practices.
The workshop aimed to raise awareness about the devastating effects of early and child marriage and domestic servitude especially on girls in Ghana, particularly in Northern Ghana. Over a hundred attendees, including Rev. Fr. Aniedi Peter Okure, OP, Permanent Delegate to the United Nations and General Promoter for Justice and Peace, Honorable Ali Adolf John, Northern Regional Minister, and representatives from the Office of the Attorney General, Gender Ministry, JPIC, youth groups, and CSOs, participated in the event.
The keynote address was delivered by Rev. Fr. Aniedi Okure, OP who was a special guest at the workshop. During his address, he explained the vision and mission of AFJN, its alignment with scriptures and with the teachings of Jesus Christ on reclaiming hope and safeguarding the rights and dignity of all persons created in the image of God. He noted that the violations of the rights and dignity of our children is a direct affront on God.
Referencing Ghana Bureau of Statistics and the UNICEF, Fr. Aniedi Okure cited that 21% of children in Ghana are married off before they attain the age of eighteen years, the minimum legal age for marriage. The practice according to the sources is more prevalent in northern Ghana, which is 37%, sixteen points higher than the national average. He noted the health impact, including higher rates of maternal mortality, perpetuating a cycle of poverty, and impeding the overall development of families and the community. He emphasized the need to support girls in acquiring education or skill training instead of pushing them into marriage at a young age, and diminishing their life chances.
In his address, the regional minister praised AFJN-Ghana’s impactful awareness programs and policies, which educate and advocate for the integrity of creation and empower people to be active agents of societal transformation. The workshop also featured a panel discussion of representatives from participating groups to explore causes, effects, and eradication strategies for early and child marriage and domestic servitude. A drama troupe performed a 20-minute visual presentation, providing insights into the issue.
Participants were divided into professional groups; religious leaders, government agencies, traditional rulers, and NGO personnel, to come up with concrete strategies to strengthen and enforce policies aimed at eradicating the menace. These strategies were shared in plenary reports to the General Assembly, with commitments by the various stakeholders to play their part in eradicating these harmful practices.
Photos and videos interviews are available below.
