Child marriage in Ghana declines by 36.6% between 2010 and 2021

August 23, 2022

3 minutes read

Child marriage in Ghana declines by 36.6% between 2010 and 2021

Child marriage in Ghana declines by 36.6% between 2010 and 2021

In Ghana, there has been a significant drop in the number of children aged 12 to 17 who are currently or formerly married or living with a partner without formal recognition.

According to the Ghana Statistical Service (GSS), the number of minors who were married decreased from 206,633 in 2010 to 130,814 in 2021. This is a decline of 75,819, which represents a 36.6% decrease over the eleven-year period.

In 2010, there were 112,089 girls and 94,554 boys in these unions, with girls making up 54.2% and boys 45.8%. By 2021, the number of girls had dropped to 79,733, while the number of boys fell to 51,081. The data shows that 17-year-olds had the highest number of child marriages, with over 31,000 in this age group.

In 2021, the ratio of males to females in child marriages was 39% for men and 61% for women. Despite the overall decrease, GSS noted that children aged 12 to 15 in these unions still number more than five times the capacity of Legon Sports Stadium.

Although the total number of children in unions fell, over 100,000 children were still in such partnerships in 2021.

The national rate of child marriage has nearly halved in the last decade, but in five regions—Northern, North East, Savannah, Upper East, and Upper West—the rates actually increased from 2010 to 2021.

The North East region has the highest rate of child marriage, with one in every ten children aged 12 to 17 involved in a marital union.

To combat this issue, Ghana has developed a National Strategic Framework on Ending Child Marriage (2017–2026) and implemented several policies aimed at reducing child marriages, including the Gender Policy (2015), the Justice for Children Policy (2016), and the Child and Family Welfare Policy (2015).

These policies aim to provide a comprehensive approach to ending child marriage by addressing the underlying causes, such as poverty, lack of education, and cultural practices.

They focus on raising awareness, improving access to education for girls, and empowering communities to challenge harmful traditions.

The government and various organizations are working together to educate families about the negative impacts of child marriage on children’s health, education, and future opportunities.

Programs are also being implemented to provide support for at-risk children, helping them stay in school and avoid early marriage.

Community leaders, educators, and health workers are being trained to recognize the signs of child marriage and intervene when necessary.

By promoting the value of education and encouraging families to invest in their children’s future, these efforts seek to create a cultural shift that protects children from early marriage.

Despite the progress made, ongoing efforts are essential to ensure that the decline in child marriages continues. The focus remains on protecting the rights of children and ensuring that all young people have the opportunity to grow, learn, and thrive without the pressures of early marriage.

With continued commitment and action, Ghana aims to significantly reduce child marriage and promote a brighter future for its children.

Share:
Subscribe
Notify of
guest
0 Comments
Oldest
Newest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments

Related Links

INTERNSHIP

Top 5 Internships for Nigerian Youths in October 2025

Nigerian youths, your big break is here! October 2025 brings five electrifying internship opportunities tailored ...

Tech Grants

Unlock October 2025 Tech Grants for African Startups Now

Imagine transforming your innovative idea into a thriving business with no strings attached funding. For ...

EU

EU’s 19th Russia Sanctions Hit LNG, Banks, and Shadow Fleet

The European Union unleashed its 19th sanctions package against Russia on October 23, 2025, delivering ...

Border

French Cyclist Freed from Russian Jail After Border Ordeal

French cyclist Sofiane Sehili’s daring quest to smash the Eurasia cycling record ended in a ...

Features

Countries Aircraft

African Countries with the Largest Military Aircraft Fleets in 2025

Africa’s military aircraft fleets are key for defense, surveillance, and peacekeeping. In 2025, several nations ...

Countries

Top 10 African Countries with Best Salaries in 2025

Africa’s job market is growing fast. In 2025, some countries offer great pay. This list ...

Kanye West

New Documentary Explores Kanye West’s Turbulent Journey

A new documentary, In Whose Name?, directed by Nico Ballesteros, offers an intimate look at ...

japa

Top 9 African Countries Sending Immigrants to the United States

Africa’s influence in the United States continues to expand through immigration. Many individuals from the ...

GOLD_3_6

Top 10 Countries Benefiting from Gold Trading in 2025

Gold trading drives wealth for nations with large reserves. In 2025, countries with significant gold ...

FNB-Stadium

Top 10 Most Expensive Stadiums in Africa for 2025

Africa’s sports infrastructure shines with world-class stadiums built for football, rugby, and major events. These ...

Gold

Top Gold-Producing Countries in Africa for 2025

Africa remains a global leader in gold production, contributing significantly to the world’s supply. In ...

digital-nomad-visa

Top 10 Digital Nomad Visa Countries for 2025

As remote work continues to thrive, digital nomad visas offer professionals the chance to live ...

Latest News

Today in History

Error: cURL error 28: Connection timed out after 5001 milliseconds

Exchange Rate Per Dollar

AM Armenian Dram381.9759
GH Ghana Cedi10.8129
GM Gambian Dalasi72.5
GN Guinea Franc8,667.72
NG Nigerian Naira₦1,462.29
CF CFA Franc BEAC564.5945
23 Oct · CurrencyRate · USD
CurrencyRate.Today
Check: 23 Oct 2025 21:05 UTC
Latest change: 23 Oct 2025 21:00 UTC
API: CurrencyRate
Disclaimers. This plugin or website cannot guarantee the accuracy of the exchange rates displayed. You should confirm current rates before making any transactions that could be affected by changes in the exchange rates.
You can install this WP plugin on your website from the WordPress official website: Exchange Rates🚀

YOUR THOUGHTS

Let us know what you think

Contact the People’s Paper with feedback on stories and how we could make wapress.africa even better!

newsletter image

Stay up to date with the latest from West Africa Press

Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on WApress.

Subscribe Newsletter!

Be the first to receive our latest contents and more...

Need help?