Save Child Now! Analyzing the Underlying Forces Driving Early Marriage among Teenage Girls in the Jaman South Municipality, Ghana

The purpose of the study was to investigate the factors of early marriage among teenage girls in the Jaman South Municipality of the Bono Region of Ghana. The research objective that guided the study were to investigate the social factors contributing to early marriage among teenage girls in the Jaman South Municipality, to find out the cultural factors contributing to early marriage among teenage girls in the Municipality, and finally, to identify the economic factors contributing to early marriage among teenage girls in the Municipality. A sample size of 150 was selected for the study through simple random sampling. A structured questionnaire was employed for data collection. Data was analysed using frequencies, percentages, means and standard deviations. Findings revealed that inadequate parental education, frustration, peer pressure, sexual immorality, were some of the social factors contributing to early marriage. Also, the cultural factors identified included mode of dressing, beliefs, traditional milestone and customs. Unemployment, financial problem facing teenagers, inability to buy contraceptives emerged to be some of the economic factors contributing to early marriage among teenage girls in the Jaman South Municipality. It was however, recommended that community leaders and relevant stakeholders including school counsellors should organise intensive workshops and educational campaign programmes to sensitise parents and guardians on the effects of some cultural practices and how it can jeopardise the future of the teenage girls. It was concluded that the Girl-child unit in Ghana Education Service of the Jaman South Municipality in collaboration with school counsellors should organise regular education, awareness and sensitisation programmes for parents, guardians and teenage girls on the effects of early marriage and to be more responsible in providing basic needs to teenage girls to keep them in school. This will improve their academic performance, enhance their self-confidence, self-esteem and also secure a brighter future for them.