The Ghana Government Statistician, Dr Philomena Nyarko, has suggested that the legal marriage age should be increased from 18 to 23 years, to ensure that young women become physically, socially and psychologically prepared, before child bearing.

She indicated that this would not onlyprepare them for marriage, but also slow population growth by 15 to 20 per cent, in the country.

Under the Children’s Act, the legal minimum age for marriage is 18 years, but the Government statistician is optimistic that increasing it to 23 years would helpthe young ones, especially the females, to prepare adequately before raising a family.

Section 14 (2) of the Children Act, 1998 states that ‘the minimum ageof marriage of whatever age shall be 18 year’.

Dr Nyarko raised these concerns Tuesday at the launch of the 5th African Youth and Governance Conference in Accra.

The two-day forum has the theme, “Youth inclusive governance: Harnessing Africa’s demographic potential” is expected to have about 250 participants from 35 Africans countries and delegates from the European Youth Parliament.

She noted that there is the need forAfrican countries, especially Ghana, to institute measure, against childbearing, to ensure better conditions and services through their limited resources.

“Lack of policies to lessen the continued high birth rates has contributed to the increasing birth by girls below the age of 15, as witnessed in the country,” she noted.

Dr Nyarko stated that, in 2011, 12.3percent of women aged between 15 and 19 years were found to have begun child bearing before age 15, which had health implications for of both infants andmothers.

“It is well known that health outcome for both mother and child improve, if pregnancy is delayed until when the young woman has matured for marriage an childbearing, to help save the lives of both mother and child,” she said.

The Executive Director of Youth Bridge Foundation, Seth Oteng, saidthe forum would brainstorm on issues, which include the signing ofthe African Youth Charter.

He explained that, though most countries have ratified the Charter, which addresses how to improve the living conditions of the youth, some Africans countries, including Ghana, have failed to implement it.

Mr. Oteng noted that the forum would also brainstorm on how to establish the African Youth Parliament, to ensure that laws governing the youth are implemented.

http://www.ghanabusinessnews.com/2013/07/17/ghanas-chief-statistician-calls-for-increase-in-marriage-age/

While some Nigerian lawmakers are celebrating Under-aged marriage.
Naija is moving backward,,,, all thanks to d capital of Pakistan.

And in my confused legislative chamber, underage is what they clamour for.


YErima and co peadophilias.

Unlike Nigeria, Ghana is a country where the rest aren't prepared to keep quiet or bend over backwards to satisfy the whims and perverted lustful desires of a component part.

And some people are even trying to argue for, or justify the marrying off of a 13 year old kid to a randy old He-Goat! Lord help us!!

ordinary ghana, tins are moving in d right direction through productive thinking whereas some Nigerians are of the view to marry off a girl @ 5.... 2 bad we aint making any move to escape from a sinking ship presented by an antiquated religious doctrine.

Ghana? ? wetin concern them?

They are doing this on the wake of our Controversial under-age marraige declaration jus to spite us and appear better in the eyes of the international communities. Not that they do anytin better than us. Am not saying wat our law makers did is right though.

Ghana is ruled on principle; Nigeria is ruled on corruption.

D problem is not hausa fulani alone but Islam in general as seen in d votes. Even d mallam from Naija Delta confirmed that its their birthright.

Ibanga p: They are doing this on the wake of our Controversial under-age marraige declaration jus to spite us and appear better in the eyes of the international communities. Not that they do anytin better than us. Am not saying wat our law makers did is right though.

our "senators" gave them this opportunity to spite us, and this is bad? So sad

Ibanga p: They are doing this on the wake of our Controversial under-age marraige declaration jus to spite us and appear better in the eyes of the international communities. Not that they do anytin better than us. Am not saying wat our law makers did is right though.

Let us learn to get over ourselves. Everything is not about us. This is a Ghanaian statistician suggesting what she thinks is best for her Country and I think this is clear enough. Population growth that cannot be effectively catered for is irresponsible and to be discouraged even as I personally do not agree with raising the marriage age from 18 to 23.

She indicated that this would not only prepare them for marriage, but also slow population growth by 15 to 20 per cent, in the country.