Father arrested for marrying off 15-year-old daughter

Police in the Ashanti Region have arrested a man for attempting to marry off his 15-year-old daughter, a junior high school student who runs the risk of losing access to an education.

Abdulai Abass, who allegedly connived his 30-year-old in-law to perpetuate the crime, is in custody at Kenyasi–Abirem in Ashanti Region.

“The marriage should not come on, I am only a child and I want my education,” the girl, whose name has been withheld, told Joy News’ Erastus Asare Donkor three days before the ceremony.

She stated that her parents, who had ignored her cries for an education, told her she had to get married to a man from Niger.

A collaborative effort between police and the Domestic Violence and Victim Support Unit (DOVVSU) ended the marriage midway through its three-day ceremony.

DSP Prince Kodua of the regional office of DOVVSU said: “the law clearly states a girl can only marry at the age of 18 thus both families are culpable and they are going to face justice.”

He added that the girl has been given protective shelter while investigations are ongoing.

A teacher who wanted to remain anonymous told Joy News that child marriages in Abriem are not uncommon.

“Since I came to the town I have seen not less than six of these young girls being given away for marriage and there are a lot I have not seen,” he said.

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