Mr Thomas Benarkuu, Deputy Chief Executive Officer of Operations at MIHOSO International Foundation, has raised alarm over the escalating rates of forced and early marriages in the Kintampo Municipality and Nkoranza North District of the Bono East Regions.
MIHOSO International Foundation, a health-centered NGO committed to social development and human rights, has been working tirelessly to enhance the well-being of vulnerable individuals, particularly women.
According to Mr Benarkuu, alarming data collected reveals a distressing trend, with 53 documented cases of forced and early marriages in the Kintampo Municipality alone. The Department of Social Welfare, the Police, the Girl Child Education Unit of the Ghana Education Service (GES), and the Commission of Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) have all recorded cases, highlighting the widespread nature of the issue.
In the Nkoranza North District, the situation is no less concerning, with 13 cases of teenage pregnancy leading to coerced marriages reported by the Girl Child Education Unit.
Research conducted by the MIHOSO International Foundation in these districts underscores the severity of the problem, revealing that girls between the ages of 14 and 17 are disproportionately affected. Mr. Benarkuu attributes this disturbing trend to various factors, including teenage pregnancies, cultural norms, and the desire to preserve girls' virginity, often reinforced by religious teachings.
The ramifications of forced and early marriages are far-reaching, impeding girls' access to education, exacerbating dropout rates, and posing significant health risks. Mr Benarkuu stresses that many victims may not be physiologically prepared for their reproductive roles, leading to childbirth complications and perpetuating cycles of poverty.
Furthermore, the practice increases the likelihood of infant mortality and exposes young girls to HIV and other sexually transmitted infections.
To address this pressing issue, Mr. Benarkuu emphasizes the urgent need for intensified public education on laws, conventions, and human rights within local communities. He calls for the identification and eradication of outdated traditional practices and norms that perpetuate forced and child marriages.
MIHOSO International Foundation remains steadfast in its commitment to combating this harmful practice and safeguarding the rights and dignity of girls in the Bono East Regions.