Mercy Adomah Besseah, the Ashanti Regional Director of the National Population Council (NPC) has outlined the government of Ghana’s efforts to eradicate Kayayei Business and child marriage in the country.
According to the NPC Director, her organization is collaborating with various entities, including the Purim African Youth Development Platform (PAYDP) Ghana, the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), and the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF).
During the 2023 Kayayei Business and Leadership Fair in Kumasi, the Ashanti NPP expressed concern about the prevalence of early marriage among girls in the Northern regions. Adomah Besseah emphasized that child marriage is not only a primitive act but also a crime.
Consequently, the government is working diligently with both international and local organizations to conduct sensitization forums for parents, guardians, opinion leaders, and the clergy in the Northern region. These forums aim to educate participants about the dangers of child marriage and highlight the benefits of allowing girls to pursue education.
“Next month, we (government) will be organizing stakeholders meeting in the Northern Region. Our primary objective is to engage parents, opinion leaders, and the clergy in a discussion focused on the critical issues of child marriage and Kayeyei. Because it is disheartening to witness the prevalence of early marriages among girls in the northern regions. Unfortunately, once a girl begins menstruating, she is often considered mature enough for marriage. However, it is crucial to emphasize that child marriage is not only morally wrong but also a criminal offence.
Our aim is to raise awareness and sensitize parents, guardians, and opinion leaders about the detrimental consequences of child marriage. By involving those who hold significant influence within the community, we hope to eradicate this harmful practice once and for all.” The Ashanti Regional NPC director stated.
Kayayei Business and Leadership Fair
This year’s, Kayayei Business and Leadership Fair was recently in Kumasi, the capital of the Ashanti Region on Friday, November 9, 2023.
This crucial event was organized by the Purim African Youth Development Platform (PAYDP) Ghana, with support from the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA).
The three-day dynamic and transformative fair, centered around the theme of “Empowering Kayayei for a Sustainable Future: Unleashing Potentials and Building Resilience.”
The primary objective of the fair was to create opportunities for the marginalized Kayayei community in Ghanaian society and address the challenges they face.
Source: Oyerepafmonline.om/ Joseph Marfo
