Ghana has taken a renewed step towards ending child marriage with a one-day consultative meeting to review and update the National Strategic Framework (NSF) on Ending Child Marriage, as the country assesses progress towards eliminating the practice by 2030.
The meeting, held in Accra on Wednesday, 21 January 2026, was organised by the Child Marriage Unit of the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection (MoGCSP), in collaboration with UNFPA and UNICEF Ghana. It formed part of the UNFPA/UNICEF Global Programme to End Child Marriage (Phase III) and brought together key stakeholders to evaluate achievements, challenges and lessons from the implementation of the framework between 2017 and 2025.
Participants examined implementation bottlenecks and systemic challenges while drawing on practical experiences from frontline implementers to inform revisions to the national strategy. The discussions were aimed at ensuring the framework remains responsive to emerging realities and aligned with Ghana’s development priorities.
Speaking on behalf of the Chief Director of MoGCSP, Dr Afisah Zakariah, the Head of the Child Marriage Unit, Madam Saphia Tamimu, said the framework reflects Ghana’s commitment to protecting the rights, dignity and future of every child.
She cited significant progress in legislative and policy reforms, including the passage of the Affirmative Action Gender Equity Act, 2024 (Act 1121), the enactment of the Social Protection Act (Act 1148), and continued enforcement of the Children’s Act. According to her, these measures have strengthened the ministry’s understanding of the structural vulnerabilities that perpetuate child marriage.
“These developments have made it necessary to review and update our strategic directions, particularly as only four years remain to achieve Sustainable Development Goal target 5.3 on ending child marriage by 2030,” she said.
Representatives of UNFPA and UNICEF Ghana stressed the importance of evidence-based programming, sustained partnerships and coordinated action. They noted that Phase III of the Global Programme prioritises scaling up proven interventions, strengthening national systems and amplifying the voices of adolescent girls.
The consultative process enabled stakeholders to validate proposed interventions, discuss coordination mechanisms and share insights to ensure the revised framework reflects the lived experiences of girls most at risk.
Officials said the updated strategy will serve as a critical roadmap to accelerate progress and reinforce Ghana’s resolve to end child marriage within the decade.