On Thursday, ActionAid Ghana staged a rally in Techiman, Bono East Region, to mark the 2026 International Day of the Girl‑Child. The event, themed “End Child Marriage and Invest in Girls’ Rights,” saw the organisation’s Regional Programme Manager, Kwame Afram Denkyira, address traditional leaders, educators, students and other stakeholders.
Denkyira urged that girls be recognised as rights‑holders and agents of change rather than victims in need of rescue. “We say ayikoo to our girls. Girls are not victims to be saved but rights holders and agents of liberation who deserve justice, resources, and power,” he declared.
The call highlighted school‑related gender‑based violence, early and forced marriage, digital exclusion and the impacts of climate change and austerity on girls. He warned that silence, impunity and patriarchal power protect perpetrators at the expense of survivors, demanding stronger safeguarding systems and accountability.
Techiman Municipal Girl‑Child Coordinator Ellen White Opoku added that ending child marriage requires a collective effort from parents, traditional authorities, religious leaders and law enforcement. She urged decisive action against perpetrators, warning that abuse could deprive girls of their childhood and limit future opportunities.
ActionAid Ghana appealed to Parliament, local authorities and traditional leaders to adopt practical measures to protect girls and broaden their opportunities. The organisation called for stronger accountability for child marriage and abuse, survivor‑centred support, safer gender‑responsive schools, and increased investment in quality education, mentorship, healthcare and digital access, especially in rural communities.
Other recommendations included full implementation of existing child protection laws, such as the Children’s Act, 1998 (Act 560), and the adoption of gender‑responsive budgets prioritising girls’ rights and leadership.
A message from ActionAid Ghana’s Country Director reinforced that investment in girls should be treated as a matter of justice rather than charity. “Girls in Ghana are not victims to be rescued; they are rights‑holders and leaders who are shaping the future of our country,” the statement read.
ActionAid Ghana reaffirmed its commitment to working with traditional authorities, education stakeholders and communities in the Bono East Region to advance equality, dignity and justice for girls.
