Rise against child marriage—Queenmothers told

Naana Kabukour Dumaaley l, the Paramount Queenmother of Ada Traditional Area, has challenged traditional leaders especially chieftaincy institutions to rise against early child marriage.

“As queenmothers, you must move out to the churches, market centers, schools and other social gatherings to champion the campaign against child marriage and other acts of violence against women,” she said.

Naana Kabukour said this at a Women’s Day Celebration as part of this year’s Tortsogbeza festival celebrated by the people of Sokpoe in the South Tongu District of the Volta Region.

Speaking on the theme, “Taking Action to End Child Marriage: The Role of Queenmothers,” she indicated it was wrong for traditional leaders, to accept any offer for such an act.

Naana Kabukour emphasised the key roles and responsibilities that must be exhibited by queen mothers to end the canker since it posed a high risk of suffering to the Ghanaian girlchild.

The event, being the third edition since its inception, was organised by Obaapa Development Foundation, a Non-Governmental Organisation that supports the development of women and children through advocacy, projects and programmes.

Nanahemaa Awindor, the Executive Director of the Foundation, indicated there was the need to keep engaging traditional rulers to help educate society on gender issues such as early child marriage, teenage pregnancy, exclusive breastfeeding, and child education, among others.

Residents from Sokpoe who witnessed the event were advised to desist from acts of early child marriage but make education their focus.

Queenmothers from across the various regions of the country graced the occasion.

It was on the theme, “Queenmothers as advocates and community change agents- Addressing issues of child protection, adolescent sexual reproductive health rights and fight against harmful cultural practices.”