Lotsu Tenge Dzokoto Temple, Ministry Develop MoU to Tackle Child Marriage

The Lotsu Tenge Dzokoto Temple in Accra, in collaboration with the Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, has developed a Memorandum of Understanding aimed at tackling child marriage in communities across Ghana.

The initiative seeks to strengthen cooperation between traditional and religious institutions and the state in addressing the social and community factors that contribute to child marriage. The proposed partnership is expected to provide a framework for joint action, public education and community engagement, particularly in areas where traditional and religious leaders play an influential role in shaping attitudes and behaviour.

Under the proposed Memorandum of Understanding, the Lotsu Tenge Dzokoto Temple and the Ministry will work together to promote awareness of the consequences of child marriage and encourage stronger community protection for children. The collaboration is also intended to support dialogue with families, community leaders and other stakeholders on the importance of keeping children in school and protecting their rights and welfare.

Child marriage remains a concern in Ghana, with its consequences extending beyond the immediate circumstances of the child. Early marriage can affect education, economic opportunities and the general wellbeing of young people, making prevention a matter requiring sustained attention from government, communities, traditional authorities, religious organisations and civil society.

The involvement of the Lotsu Tenge Dzokoto Temple reflects the growing recognition that efforts to address the practice cannot be left solely to government institutions. Religious and traditional bodies often have direct access to communities and can help translate national policies into conversations that families and local leaders can understand and act upon.

The proposed MoU therefore represents an effort to bring these different spheres together around a common objective: ensuring that children are protected from practices that can compromise their education, development and future prospects.

Further details of the partnership, including its implementation framework and community-level activities, are expected to be announced as the collaboration progresses.