- Ghana has begun reviewing its National Strategic Framework on Ending Child Marriage with only four years left to meet the 2030 global target
- The review is being led by the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection in partnership with UNFPA and UNICEF Ghana
- Progress between 2017 and 2025 was assessed, alongside implementation challenges and emerging risks
With only four years remaining to achieve the global target of ending child marriage, Ghana has commenced a critical review of its national strategy to address persistent gaps and emerging challenges sustaining the practice.
The Child Marriage Unit of the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection, working in partnership with UNFPA and UNICEF Ghana, on Saturday, January 24, 2026, convened a high-level consultative meeting in Accra to review and update the National Strategic Framework (NSF) on Ending Child Marriage.
The one-day forum evaluated progress made between 2017 and 2025, identified implementation constraints, and gathered insights from frontline stakeholders to strengthen Ghana’s response as the country moves toward meeting Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) target 5.3 by 2030.
Speaking on behalf of the Ministry’s Chief Director, the Head of the Child Marriage Unit, Madam Saphia Tamimu, said the review was necessary as the structural factors driving child marriage remain deeply rooted in certain communities.
She noted that the National Strategic Framework reflects Ghana’s commitment to protecting the rights, dignity, and future of every child, adding that notable progress has been made through legislative and policy reforms.
Among the key milestones cited were the passage of the Affirmative Action Gender Equity Act, 2024 (Act 1121), the Social Protection Act (Act 1148), and the continued enforcement of the Children’s Act, all of which have strengthened institutional responses to child marriage.
However, Madam Tamimu acknowledged that these gains have also revealed systemic gaps that require urgent strategic adjustment. She stressed that the limited time remaining to meet the 2030 target makes the review both timely and essential.
Representatives from UNFPA and UNICEF Ghana emphasized the importance of evidence-based programming, enhanced coordination, and sustained partnerships to accelerate progress.
They explained that Phase III of the UNFPA–UNICEF Global Programme to End Child Marriage prioritizes scaling up proven interventions, strengthening national systems, and amplifying the voices of adolescent girls to drive lasting change.
Participants engaged in in-depth discussions on priority actions, coordination frameworks, and implementation strategies, drawing on experiences from community and district levels.
Organisers said the consultative process is intended to ensure that the revised framework responds to current realities, aligns with national development priorities, and reflects the lived experiences of girls most vulnerable to child marriage.
