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Paramount Chief of the Akwamu State, Odeneho Kwafo Akoto III, has on Friday, December 29, 2023, declared an end to all forms of child marriages within his jurisdiction.
Anyone who acts in contraception would face a traditional tribunal set up to protect rights of girl child, Odeneho Kwafo Akoto while addressing a durbar at the Bogyawe Palace, Akwamufie in the Asuogyaman District of the Eastern Region. 
“Years back we all believed that marrying girls off early will preserve chastity and prevent premarital sex. That was then. Now evidence shows that what served us then is now hurting not only our girls but our society as a whole,” Odeneho Kwafo Akoto noted.
According to him, “…our ancestors, in establishing some of these practices, were not privy to the information, resources, and knowledge available today.”
The two-day capacity-building workshop for traditional leaders in the Akwamu area was organised by UNFPA and in collaboration with Nana Adwoa Awindor’s Obaapa Foundation.
It attracted a host of personalities including the UNFPA Resident Representative, Dr Wilfred Ochan, Minister for Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, Stephen Asamoah Boateng as well traditional leaders from the Akwamu area.
The event was on the theme: “End of child marriage in Ghana – The role of traditional rulers.
According to the Akwamumanhene, the evidence abounds in this era that “protecting girls from child marriage and other harmful practices and educating them, is an investment that rewards us today and pays dividends long into our future.”
“As modern traditional rulers, we have a duty to look closely at some of these practices and eliminate those that cause harm, deprive girls of their dignity, and expose them to serious health risks such as genital fistula,” he cautioned.
He entreated the gathering to support government’s efforts by initiating community-based educational projects, influence policy decision-making to prioritise law enforcement against child marriages.
“I would entreat all chiefs and queen-mothers to use our durbars and other ceremonies to educate our communities on the negative consequences of child marriage while reminding them to send their daughters, nieces, grand-daughters to school or face communal tribunal to protect girls.
“We entreat religious institutions in every community to make this issue a core part of their regular teaching; and to be strong advocates against the practice.
“Businesses, multinational organisations, schools, and individuals must also play a role in fighting this menace,” he stated.
