Starlight Foundation Condemns Alleged Child Marriage, Calls for Collaborative
Starlight Foundation vehemently condemns the alleged marriage of a 12-year-old girl to a 63-year-old chief in Ghana, a blatant violation of the child’s rights. It is commendable that the Ghana Police Service rescued the girl and her mother, and we demand a thorough investigation to ensure her safety and hold perpetrators accountable.
According to Girls Not Brides, 19% of Ghanaian girls marry before the age of 18 and 5% before the age of 15. Tragically, this incident occurred in one of the many communities where we work to promote girl child education and end streetism.
We urge all stakeholders – government, traditional authorities, civil society, and communities – to enforce laws against child marriage, educate on its consequences, and address root causes like poverty, gender inequality, and harmful practices.
Together, we can protect every child’s rights, dreams and create an enabling environment where girls can reach their full potential with any threats like what we are experiencing. Starlight Foundation stands ready to collaborate in eradicating this scourge and building a brighter future for all.
Signed:
Isaac Opoku
Founder & CEO
