The National chief Imam Shiekh Osman Nuhu Sharubutu has commended Plan International for it work in ensuring that girls no matter where they are empowered. He noted that a shared and collective effort by all stakeholders in child protection is needed to eradicate child marriage in the country.
He said child marriage denies girls their rights to education, to health and to lives free from violence. He commended the efforts by Plan International Ghana, an NGO in bringing all stakeholders together to ensure responsible adolescent sexual lifestyle. He said this when Plan international Ghana paid a courtesy call on him at his residence in Accra.
According to the UNICEF 2011 Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey, the Upper East Region has a child marriage prevalence of 50%, the highest in the country. A greater number of girls between 15 and 18 years are entering marriage, often against their will. This situation according to Plan International, Ghana is unacceptable and calls for urgent action across all sector.
On the National Level 25 per cent of the females between the ages of 20-25 years are married before they turned 18 years old. The visit was to get the National Chief Imam’s perspective on Child Marriage according to Islamic Laws. Solomon Tesfa Mariam is the Country Director of plan Ghana thanked the Chief Iman for the audience and promised plan International Ghana’s resolve to work hard to empower girls.
The spokesperson of the National Chief Imam, Sheikh Armeyaw Shaibu, said the office of the Chief Imam supports Plan Ghana Initiative in Eradicating Child marriage Plan International Ghana is committed to ensure that every child enjoyed his or her rights with particular interest in ensuring equal rights for girls.
By: Gloria Anderson
