Education Watch (Eduwatch) has welcomed President Akufo-Addo’s promise to end child marriage in Ghana and Africa.

Eduwatch said the desire is commendable and must be supported.

In a press release issued on Monday, September 26, Eduwatch said it will ensure that the promise is achieved.

“On Saturday, at the 2022 Global Citizen Festival, President Akufo-Addo made a commitment to mobilize support towards ending child marriage in Ghana and Africa.

"According to UNICEF, 1 in 5 girls marry before age 18 in Ghana, a situation which affects the ability of girls to complete basic and secondary education.”

“Eduwatch welcomes His Excellency’s Commitment to ending Child Marriage and reiterates our support towards the realization of that vision.”

It also added that it is working with its partners to implement the SERVE 3 Project aimed at strengthening child marriage responses within communities.

“Eduwatch in partnership with STAR Ghana Foundation, with support from the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) is implementing the SERVE 3 Project, to among others, strengthen the child marriage response system at all levels,” the statement added.

On stage at the 2022 edition of the Global Citizen Festival at the Black Stars Square, over the last weekend, President Akufo-Addo pledged his commitment to mobilising support towards ending the canker.

He said the time is now for leaders to champion the cause and ensure the growth of young girls, who usually end up being deprived of achieving their full potential and objectives.

Mr Akufo-Addo called for a collective commitment of all major stakeholders to put in place measures that would protect the girl child.

“Women and girls account for 51% of the population of Ghana, the majority, and that is the same everywhere on the continent. So, empowering them is critical to speeding up Africa’s progress.