Accra, Ghana – The Child Marriage Unit of the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection, in a collaborative effort with UNFPA Ghana and UNICEF Ghana, has held a crucial one-day meeting to review and finalize the National Operational Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) Plan for Ending Child Marriage spanning 2025–2026. This initiative marks a significant step in strengthening the nation’s efforts to eradicate child marriage and safeguard the future of its children.
The meeting’s primary objectives were to meticulously review and confirm baseline data and targets for the 2023–2024 period with institutional representatives, present proposed targets for 2025–2026 to stakeholders for validation, and foster stronger collaboration with key stakeholders and partners involved in the fight against child marriage.
The comprehensive M&E Plan is designed to guide and track government efforts in implementing the National Strategic Framework on Ending Child Marriage in Ghana (2017–2026), with the Child Marriage Unit retaining responsibility for coordinating all related activities.
Madam Safia Tamimu, Head of the Child Marriage Unit, speaking on behalf of the Chief Director of the Ministry, Dr. Afisah Zakariah, underscored that the updated Operational M&E Plan represents a collective commitment to ending child marriage and protecting the fundamental rights and future of every Ghanaian child, particularly girls who are disproportionately affected by this harmful practice. She acknowledged that despite some progress over the years, child marriage remains a persistent challenge in many communities nationwide, noting that “one in six girls is still married or in a union before turning 18. That is too many. Girls in rural areas and low-income households remain particularly vulnerable.”
Madam Tamimu further emphasized that updating and reviewing the Operational M&E Plan is a cornerstone strategy towards achieving the elimination of child marriage by 2030, aligning with Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) target 5.3. She expressed profound gratitude to UNFPA and UNICEF Ghana for their immense support and called upon all stakeholders to reinforce coordination and renew their shared commitment to ensure that no child in Ghana is forced into early marriage.
In a joint solidarity message, Madam Doris Mawusi Aglobitse of UNFPA and representatives from UNICEF Ghana highlighted that child marriage is not merely a violation of human rights but also a significant impediment to national development, gender equality, and the full realization of girls’ potential, reiterating that ending this practice is not optional, but necessary.
Both agencies reaffirmed their dedication to working alongside the Government, the Ministry, and the Child Marriage Unit to support the implementation of Ghana’s national strategy to end child marriage, with participants in the meeting engaging in robust discussions to refine indicators, ensuring data is disaggregated by age, sex, location, and other relevant variables.
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