Dr. Doris Mawuse Agbloitse, Gender Team Lead at UNFPA, emphasized the pivotal role of traditional leaders—particularly paramount chiefs and queen mothers—in advancing community development and combating child marriage. She highlighted that child marriage remains a pervasive issue in Ghana, and its eradication depends on empowering chiefs with the necessary information to tackle the complexities of the problem effectively.
Dr. Agbloitse spoke at a UNFPA workshop focused on “Ending Child Marriage and GBV,” attended by traditional council registrars from eight Regional Houses of Chiefs and the National House of Chiefs. The workshop, conducted in collaboration with the Ministry of Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, aimed to enhance the registrars’ understanding of child marriage, gender-based violence (GBV), and other harmful practices to enable them to perform their roles more effectively.
The training is part of the 15-year Global Programme to End Child Marriage, which Ghana, along with 11 other countries, has been implementing from 2016 to 2030. Dr. Agbloitse stressed the importance of intensifying efforts with traditional and religious leaders, noting that these leaders have been integral to their communities long before modern democratic systems emerged.
“When you equip traditional leaders with the right information, they are better positioned to address community issues effectively,” Dr. Agbloitse explained. She also addressed the misconception among some chiefs who believe that marrying off a pregnant girl to the father is a protective measure, clarifying that such practices are both incorrect and illegal.
Mr. Evans Habadah, Director of Human Resources at the Ministry of Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, acknowledged the ongoing challenge of child marriage. He emphasized the need for educational programs targeting both men and women and underscored the Ministry’s commitment to working with traditional leaders to address these issues more effectively.
Dr. Agbloitse urged leaders to familiarize themselves with the legal framework surrounding marriage and consent to avoid legal pitfalls and ensure that no girl under 18 is married off, regardless of her circumstances. She reaffirmed UNFPA’s commitment to safeguarding adolescent girls’ rights and working towards ending child marriage by 2030. Mr. Habadah pledged to strengthen engagements with traditional authorities to foster positive outcomes and advance the fight against child marriage.
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