A-16-year-old girl, who gave her name only as Irene, says she has been in exile for four years after she refused to be forced into early marriage.

She told Maame Akua in a phone interview on Asempa FM’s Abrabo from her hideout that she was forced at the age of 12 years to marry his father’s age mate and friend in exchange for another young girl, who got married to her brother.

Irene said, she absconded from her husband’s house at Yankazia to Zamashegu in the Gushegu District, all in the Northern Region, to seek refuge since her parents were not prepared to receive her back home.

In a dire situation searching for shelter, Irene narrated that she was fortunately rescued by a Police Lance Corporal, who took her into his home and gave her good life, education and hope to live again.

The policeman enrolled her into the same school his children attend. She is currently in JHS two.

She expressed bitterness towards her parents but prayed for God’s support to make it in life so that she can tell her story for all, including her parents, to recognize the power of God.

In a related development, another 16 years old JHS two girl, Juana, narrated her ordeal in the hands of the father after she rejected to be married off to an old man, when she was 12 years old.

Juana, said though she has been leaving with both parents in the same house, the father has sworn never to care for her because he feels disgraced by her refusal to to be married off.

According to her, her mum has been the only one supporting her through school over the years.

Her refusal might be grounded on a sad incident. She narrated how her senior sister lost her life after going into hiding to avoid being forced by the father to marry his friend.

She said the family never heard anything about her sister till in the year 2010, when they received a phone call that her sister had died.

The Coordinator for International Christian Gospel Church (ICGC) at Gushegu District in the Northern Region, Pastor Paul Fusani, who confirmed these incidents on Abrabo raised concerned about how the issue of force marriage is destroying the life of girls in the Gushegu District.

Grater Accra Assistant Director for Social Welfare, Mr. Dela Achiahor told Abrabo that though such issues come to their attention, they are unable to cause any arrest without a formal report or complaint.

He said the Social Welfare with the help of Ministry of Gender and Social Protection is planning to put up shelters for girls, who feel rejected at home for refusing to marry at a tender age.