Media Urged to Prioritize and Intensify Reporting on Child Marriage

Hajia Safia Tamimu, the Head of the Child Marriage Unit at Ghana’s Ministry of Gender, Children, and Social Protection, has called on the media to place greater focus on reporting about child marriage in the country.

With the deadline to eliminate child marriage by 2030, as set by the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), fast approaching, she emphasized the need for increased efforts in combating this harmful practice.

Speaking at a media engagement event in Accra on January 20, 2025, Hajia Tamimu addressed the media’s role in raising awareness about child marriage, urging journalists to prioritize the issue in their reporting.

Her comments come in the context of the ongoing efforts to meet the SDGs’ target of ending child marriage by 2030, a goal that requires immediate action.

The Child Marriage Information Portal, which launched in September 2021, has been central to these efforts.

The portal, developed by the Domestic Violence Secretariat in collaboration with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), serves as a valuable resource for both the public and the media.

Accessible online at www.cm.mogcsp.gov.gh, it provides a comprehensive database containing vital information on child marriage, sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV), and related issues.

Despite existing legal frameworks aimed at reducing child marriage, the practice remains widespread in Ghana, with current statistics showing a prevalence rate of 19 percent.

According to the 2021 Population and Housing Census, over 120,000 children between the ages of 12 and 17 are either married or living with a partner.

In 2024 alone, the Child Marriage Unit rescued 13 girls, with six of them returning to school and the others participating in economic empowerment programs.

This initiative highlights the importance of media involvement in spreading awareness and contributing to ongoing campaigns to end child marriage.

Hajia Tamimu also noted that traditional and religious leaders in Ghana had pledged support in the fight against child marriage, showcasing the importance of multi-stakeholder involvement.

The Child Marriage Information Portal not only provides resources but also enables users to report child marriage cases, which are linked to the Orange Support Centre for immediate action.

Mr. Senanu Agbozo, a consultant for the portal at UNFPA, discussed the economic benefits of ending child marriage, noting that it could lead to increased productivity and greater economic empowerment for women, ultimately contributing to the fight against poverty.

The call for intensified media efforts underscores the importance of collaborative work to combat child marriage and secure a brighter future for Ghana’s children.