The engagement focused on strengthening leadership and community-based action to prevent teenage pregnancy and eliminate harmful practices, particularly child marriage, within the New Juaben Traditional Area and beyond. He noted that chiefs have a constitutional mandate to review and eliminate outdated customs that harm children, including child marriage and other negative gender norms. Boafo underscored the importance of partnerships between government, traditional leaders and civil society organisations such as Obaapa Development Foundation, UNFPA and International Needs Ghana. “There is no excuse for child marriage,” he stressed, reminding participants that the practice is illegal under Ghana’s Children’s Act (Act 560). Traditional leaders acknowledged their responsibility as change agents capable of enforcing declarations, protecting girls’ education and promoting positive cultural values.

Source: GhanaWeb December 25, 2025 00:59 UTC