Accra, Ghana, October 31, 2026: The Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection (MoGCSP) has engaged pupils of Tafsiliyya Islamic School in Nima, Accra, on the causes and consequences of child marriage and the measures needed to prevent the practice.

The sensitisation exercise, held on Thursday, 29 October 2026, was organised by the Ministry’s Child Marriage Unit as part of efforts to raise awareness of children’s rights and protect young people from harmful practices.

Speaking on behalf of the Ministry’s Chief Director, Dr Marian W. A. Kpakpah, the Head of the Child Marriage Unit, Madam Saphia Tamimu, urged the pupils to prioritise their education, pursue their aspirations and acquire skills that would enable them to become independent.

She emphasised the importance of completing basic and secondary education before proceeding to further studies or vocational training, noting that education and skills development could equip them to make informed decisions and build independent futures.

The pupils were also taken through discussions on the factors that contribute to child marriage and its impact on children's education, personal development and future opportunities.

Facilitators Belinda Mills and Naa Dedei A. Komey, both Assistant Programme Officers of the Child Marriage Unit, used interactive discussions to explain the importance of preventing child marriage and protecting children from the practice.

They encouraged the pupils to speak up and seek assistance whenever they encountered or suspected a case of child marriage. The facilitators also introduced the Ministry’s toll-free number, *0800 111 222*, as a channel for reporting cases and accessing support.

The engagement forms part of the Ministry’s ongoing public education and community outreach efforts to eliminate child marriage in Ghana and strengthen collective responsibility for protecting children’s rights.