Navro Pio endorses UNFPA–Obaapa Foundation campaign to end child marriage
The initiative was launched at a two-day workshop held at the Navrongo Health Research Centre under the theme “Ending Child Marriage in Ghana – One Paramountcy at a Time.”
The Paramount Chief of the Navrongo Traditional Area, Pe Aniakwo Balinia Adda Asagipaare II, has welcomed the campaign by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and the Obaapa Development Foundation (ODF) to end child marriage in Navrongo, pledging his support to mobilise traditional leaders and communities.
The initiative was launched on Tuesday, September 24, at a two-day workshop held at the Navrongo Health Research Centre under the theme “Ending Child Marriage in Ghana – One Paramountcy at a Time.”
The programme brought together paramount chiefs, religious leaders, civil society organisations, health professionals, and government agencies to strengthen community action against child marriage.
Speaking in an interview with Mike FM at the event, the Navro Pio described the call as timely and necessary.
“I believe it’s a good call. We really have child marriage problems in this part of our country and I don’t think it is helping.”
“The problem I have now is that we normally leave the people who are responsible for the pregnancy to go off the hook and punish the innocent girl who doesn’t probably even know what she was doing, what is going to lead her to.” He stated.
Pe Aniakwo Balinia Adda Asagipaare II further noted that the practice can be significantly reduced in the municipality with determination and coordinated action among traditional leaders, parents, and state institutions.
“When you are determined, you always get results. I believe that one will continue pursuing what they just started here. We’ll be making some results. We cannot eradicate but we can bring it down to minimal.” He added.
The Obaapa Development Foundation, in partnership with UNFPA, has launched its first 2025 anti–child marriage initiative in Navrongo after completing seven similar declarations since 2023 across the Volta, Central, and Upper East Regions, including Bongo.
Mike 105.3FM | Navrongo | Alexander Kubabom
