The government, through a statement delivered by the Ministry of Information, has commended the general public for their interest and display of care and alertness in protecting the interest of children, concerning the public’s reaction to the alleged marriage of a child to the Gborbu Wulormor Shitse on 30th March 2024 at Nungua
The statement noted that in line with the Constitutional and statutory duty to protect the Ghanaian child, the government has taken the necessary steps to ascertain the facts of the case for necessary actions to be taken.
It indicated that the government’s efforts were complemented by the collective efforts of the Ministries of Gender, Children and Social Protection, Chieftaincy, and Religious Affairs, Interior, and the Greater Accra Regional Coordinating Council
“To this end, the Ministry of Gender has taken the following actions: The child has been taken by the Ghana Police Service and the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection to a place of safety. She is doing well and has been visited by the Minister Designate and other officials from the Ministry of Gender, Children, and Social Protection”.
Government, MoI
The statement also indicated that the child bride has been provided with counseling and other resources by the Social Welfare Department under the Gender Ministry, emphasizing that the Ministry has also provided a medical doctor and two caregivers to ensure the wellbeing of the child.
Furthermore, the statement also revealed that the Department of Social Welfare has also assigned a case worker to the case to, among other things, ensure that all protocols regarding the maximum protection of the child are strictly adhered to.
Moreover, it has been made known that the Ghana Police Service has taken a statement from the Gborbu Wulormor Shitse in the presence of his lawyer and additional statements have been taken from the child’s parents to assist the Department of Social Welfare and the Police in investigations.
Government Commits To Child’s Protection
More so, the government also indicated through the statement that, the Minister for Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs has been engaged in extensive deliberations with the Traditional Authorities of Nungua to ensure maximum cooperation in pursuit of the best interest of the child.
Accordingly, the government reiterates its commitment to support the Ghana Police Service and all relevant stakeholders in the ongoing investigations into the alleged child marriage.
The need for a child’s right to be protected has increased over the past years, particularly with the present economic situations that have rendered the young Ghanaian child vulnerable to unsuspecting perpetrators.
According to a report by the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ), children’s rights violations dominated complaints at the Commission for the year 2023.
The report indicated that the Commission received 10,525 cases, out of which, complaints on children were 3,509 thus accounting for 33.3% of CHRAJ cases in 2023.
According to Mrs. Mercy Larbi, Deputy Commissioner of CHRAJ, details from the report concerning children show complaints ranging from non-maintenance; that is the right to maintenance and life necessities, the right to health and the right to education, the right to be named, early and forced marriages, child trafficking, and child labor among others.
“When you look at early marriages and forced marriages, the Children’s Act has criminalized them. Early marriages too are in there and it goes on even to say betrothal is even a criminal offense. So, betrothal in any kind or form is criminal”
Mrs. Mercy Larbi
Meanwhile, the CHRAJ had also condemned the act of the priest in charge of the Shite shrine, arguing that whether the alleged betrothal of the child is to the deity or the one in charge of the deity, the Children Acts considers betrothal as criminal hence there is no justification for it.
Conclusively, the CHRAJ advised the general public to report issues concerning children’s welfare and protection to the Commission to be properly addressed.
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