By Mildred Siabi-Mensah, GNA
Takoradi, Oct. 23, GNA – Parents have been urged to prioritise girls’ education over early marriage to protect them from losing their childhood, education and opportunities for a better future.
Madam Margaret Blay, Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolitan Girl Child Coordinator, said child marriage disrupted girls’ education, threatened their health and well-being, and limited their ability to realise their full potentials.
“Keep her in school, not in a man’s house,” she urged parents, stressing the need for families and communities to protect girls’ right to education and personal development.
She made the call in a welcoming address at the 2026 celebration of the International Day of the Girl Child in the Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolis, under the theme: “End Child Marriage and Invest in Girls’ Rights.”
Madam Blay said ending child marriage required collective action from parents, teachers, traditional leaders, government institutions and communities to ensure that girls were protected and given the opportunity to pursue their aspirations.
She noted that child marriage often forced girls out of school before they were physically, emotionally and socially prepared for the responsibilities associated with marriage.
She said investing in girls’ rights was not merely a moral obligation but an investment in the future of communities and the nation.
According to her, girls who remained in school, had their voices heard and received the necessary support could grow into leaders, professionals, innovators and active contributors to national development.
Madam Blay called on teachers to protect girls’ access to education, create supportive learning environments and empower them to express themselves confidently.
She also appealed to traditional leaders to help address harmful cultural practices and social norms that denied girls opportunities to develop their potential.
The Government and relevant institutions, she said, must strengthen the enforcement of child protection laws to ensure that every girl enjoyed adequate protection.
She further urged communities to speak out against child marriage, report cases and work together to create safe environments where girls could learn, grow and thrive.
Madam Blay said every girl deserved the freedom to dream, acquired an education and determined her own future.
She expressed the hope that the celebration would strengthen stakeholders’ collective resolve to end child marriage and invest in the rights, education and future of every girl.
Present at the event were Madam Karen Ama Moses, Assembly Member for the Takoradi Railway and Harbour Electoral Area, said letting girls stay in schools meant having an enlightened mother, well informed families and a resilient and strong communities and ultimately a better Ghana.
She, therefore stressed that no child should be forced into marriage; “every child must have the freedom to learn, grow, dream and choose her future”.
Some of the school children were saddened that their parents did not listen to their concerns and voices during distress times, while other parents also exposed the children to abuses and early marriage.
Madam Henrietta Quabu, the Metropolitan School Health Coordinator urged the children to report to the Police, Social Welfare, Media, or their teachers or come to the Metropolitan Education Directorate for assistance in case of abuse or any situation that threatened their humanity.
GNA
Edited by Justina Hilda Paaga/Linda Asante Agyei
Reporter: Mildred Siabi-Mensah
Email: [email protected]