Child Marriage in Ghana and National Responses to Curb the Practice

Abstract This study examined the trends in prevalence of child marriage and its causes and consequences in Ghana. It also examined the efficacy of government’s responses in curbing the practice. Three waves (2006, 2011 and 20217) of Ghana’s Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey were analysed using spss , while interviews with staff of government and non-government organisations and female victims of child marriage were analysed thematically. The study found that child marriage before age 18 has marginally declined by 1.4 per cent between 2006 and 2017. Fear of becoming pregnant before marriage, poverty and cultural expectations emerged as the main reasons for continuing the practice of child marriage. Inadequate funding, enforcement of laws on child marriage, and human and material resources, affected the efficacy of national responses to curb the practice. To help curb child marriage, there is a need for a range of measures, including enhancing family finances and awareness creation on children’s rights.