The Paramount Chief of the New Juaben Traditional Area, Daasebre Kwaku Boateng III, has declared zero tolerance to child marriage and all harmful traditional practices within the area.
Making the declaration at a durbar held as part of the Akwasidae Festival in Koforidua, Daasebre Nana Kwaku Boateng III pledged to champion community-led initiatives, public education and awareness campaigns aimed at protecting the rights, dignity and wellbeing of girls and all children.
“As Paramount Chief of the New Juaben Traditional Area and President of the New Juaben Traditional Council, I declare our unwavering commitment to end child marriage and all harmful traditional practices within our community,” he said.
He added “I pledge to stand with my queen mother and all stakeholders to actively promote awareness, education and community-led initiatives that protect the rights, dignity and wellbeing of our girls and all children. Together, we shall build communities where every child is safe, empowered and free to fulfil their full potential.”
The declaration follows a capacity-building workshop on teenage pregnancy and sexual and gender-based violence, organised by Obaapa Development Foundation (ODF) for traditional leaders and community stakeholders in New Juaben.
Although, there is very low prevalence of child marriage and harmful practices against girls in New Juaben , Ghana Statistical Service, national data from the 2021 Population and Housing Census shows that 79,733 girls aged 12 to 17 in Ghana are either married or living with a partner. Out of this figure, 25,999 are of Junior High School age (12–14 years).
The census further revealed that 244,731 girls aged 6 to 14 years have never attended school,
Nationally, 7.8%, representing 285,271 girls, are currently not attending school, with 75.8% of them living in rural areas.
In addition, 99,150 girls under the age of 15 are engaged in harmful economic activity, with nearly half of them out of school.
Daasebre Nana Kwaku Boateng III commended the government, led by President John Dramani Mahama, for responding swiftly to the traditional council’s request for the construction of the Koforidua Central Market, following engagements through the Eastern Regional Minister.
Touching on the theme of the festival, “End Child Marriage and All Harmful Traditional Practices,” Hon. Awatey stressed that child marriage denies children—especially girls—their right to education, good health, personal development and dignity.
“Child marriage exposes girls to early pregnancy, serious health risks, emotional trauma and poverty, and limits their ability to contribute meaningfully to national development,” she said.
“Ending child marriage is not only a moral responsibility of our leaders and traditional authorities, but a critical investment in Ghana’s future.”
Addressing the durbar, Eastern Regional Minister, Hon. Rita Akosua Awatey, announced government’s intention to expand infrastructure development across the Eastern Region to boost local economic activities.
She disclosed that plans are far advanced to begin the construction of the Koforidua Central Market, along with the rehabilitation of other markets in the region in need of a facelift.
“We want to assure you of our commitment to development, not only in Juaben but across the entire Eastern Region,” she said.“With the support of our Municipal Chief Executives and Members of Parliament, we are going to transform Juabenman and the Eastern Region as a whole.”
The Minister revealed that government has initiated several projects in the region, including the provision of 66 boreholes and 66 new schools, and assured residents that work on the central market would commence soon.
She also announced that government has procured vehicles for schools in the region, noting that SDA School in Koforidua has already received a brand-new vehicle.
The durbar brought together traditional leaders, government officials, civil society organisations and residents, reinforcing a shared resolve to protect children and promote sustainable development in the New Juaben Traditional Area.
Source:Mybrytfmonline.com/Obed Ansah
