Ghana's MoGCSP: No Child Marriage by 2030 Through Back to School Policy

• The MoGCSP aims to achieve a zero per cent child marriage rate by 2030 in line with the SDGs.
• Ghana's child marriage rate stands at 16 per cent, according to 2022 statistical data from the Ghana Statistical Service.
• The 'Back to School' policy allows teenage mothers to resume their education after giving birth, but inadequate support remains a major challenge.
• The MoGCSP is working with traditional faith practitioners to develop a framework for engaging with community leaders and promoting positive cultural practices.

The Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection (MoGCSP) has been working towards achieving a zero per cent child marriage rate by 2030. To this end, the MoGCSP's Child Marriage Unit, led by Mrs Saphia Tamimu, organized a meeting with traditional faith practitioners to discuss ways to prevent child marriage and support teenage mothers in returning to school. The meeting was held in Accra last Friday and was attended by representatives from various organizations, including the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA). During the meeting, Mrs Tamimu emphasized the importance of providing support systems for teenage mothers to enable them to return to school after childbirth. She noted that while the government's 'Back to School' policy allows teenage mothers to resume their education after giving birth, inadequate support remains a major challenge.

Ghana's child marriage rate stands at 16 per cent, according to 2022 statistical data from the Ghana Statistical Service. The government has introduced various interventions to reduce this rate, including the Livelihood Empowerment Against Poverty (LEAP) programme. However, more needs to be done to prevent child marriage and support teenage mothers in their education. In line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the MoGCSP is working towards achieving a zero per cent child marriage rate by 2030. This goal is aligned with Ghana's national development objectives and is critical to promoting the rights, health, and dignity of citizens.

The 'Back to School' policy has the potential to significantly impact education law and policies related to child marriage. As such, lawyers and compliance officers should monitor its development and implementation. The success of this policy will depend on the availability of support systems for teenage mothers, including parental and community support. It is essential that all stakeholders contribute to efforts to end child marriage and promote the education and well-being of teenage mothers.

Lawyers and compliance officers should monitor the development of the 'Back to School' policy in Ghana, which aims to enable teenage mothers to return to school after childbirth, as it may have implications for education law and policies related to child marriage.

Source: Original reporting via AllAfrica Ghana