The hope of abused and vulnerable children in seeking refuge at the office of the Department of Children is becoming a mirage because the Department has no accommodation or shelter for abused children.
Ms. Faustina Awotwe, the Western Regional Director of the Department of Children, described the situation as worrying as such children are sent to orphanages for protection.
She said equally worrying situation was the legislation that girls could indulge in sex at age 16 but cannot be married off until age 18.
These were among other critical social and religious issues raised at a workshop organized by the National Commission for Civic Education with support from the Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development of the government of Canada.
The workshop brought together media practitioners and journalists from the Western and Central regions to learn and also find ways of reducing child, early and forced marriages in Ghana through public awareness and civil society advocacy.
The project would also foster dialogue among government and civil society organizations, sensitize and empower key stakeholders towards enforcement of legislation.
Mr. Emmanuel Bissue of the Nana Kobina Nketsia IV Trust said despite legislation the practice was ongoing in some communities in the Western Region.
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