CHIEF Alhassan Amadu, Northern Regional Director of the National Population Council, has expressed worry about the high rate of forced and child marriages in the region.
He lamented that the rate at which parents were giving out their girl children for marriage was alarming, and urged stakeholders to assist in eliminating the practice.
Chief Amadu who was speaking at a day’s knowledge-sharing workshop on Early, Forced and Child Marriages yesterday in Tamale, stated that the high poverty rate and diseases among the people would persist if parents failed to educate their children especially the girl-child.
The workshop, which was attended by members of the security service, traditional rulers, youth groups, and journalists was meant to discuss early, forced and child marriages in the region.
It was organised by the Institute of Social Research and Development (ISRAD) Ghana.
Chief Amadu said some brilliant girls in the area had been dropped out of schools and forcefully married to men.
Chief Amadu appealed to security personnel to deal with parents, who would accept money and gifts and give their daughters out for marriage.
Mr. Abdul Raxak Bawa, ISRAD-Ghana Regional Coordinator, said the workshop aimed at identifying the causes of early marriage and finding solution to the problem.
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