Ghana: Update to GHA28582.E of February 1998 on forced marriage, including whether it occurs in urban areas such as Kumasi; in Christian families and availability of state protection
| Publisher | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada |
| Author | Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board, Canada |
| Publication Date | 12 September 2000 |
| Citation / Document Symbol | GHA35106.E |
| Reference | 2 |
| Cite as | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Ghana: Update to GHA28582.E of February 1998 on forced marriage, including whether it occurs in urban areas such as Kumasi; in Christian families and availability of state protection, 12 September 2000, GHA35106.E, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/3df4be3230.html [accessed 17 September 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
The Executive Secretary of the National Council on Women and Development (NCWD) under the President's office, in Accra, Ghana stated that forced marriage, once a problem particularly in rural areas, was outlawed by 1998 legislation (12 Sept. 2000). This information is corroborated by Country Reports 1999 which states that in 1998 Parliament passed legislation that amended the 1960 Criminal Code to provide additional protection for women and children. Under the Children's Act, forced childhood marriage became illegal (2000, 231, 233).
The NCWD's Executive Secretary explained that the law covers women in all parts of Ghana. She said that the law is in force and if a woman below the age of 18 is forced into marriage, she has recourse to the law. According to this source, various non-governmental organizations (NGOs) including the Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA), and other human rights organizations take the issue of child marriage, and other forms of violence against women very seriously. These NGOs, she said, would come to the defence of any woman who seeks their help (ibid.).
This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum. Please see below the list of sources consulted in researching this Information Request.
Reference
Country Reports on Human Rights for Practices 1999. 2000. United States Department of State. Washington, DC: United States Government Printing Office.
National Council on Women and Development (NCWD), Accra. 12 September 2000. Telephone interview.
Additional Sources Consulted
Africa Research Bulletin: Political, Social and Cultural Series [Oxford. 1999-2000.
Country Reports 1999. 2000.
Keesings Record of World Events [Cambridge]. 1999-2000.
Resource Centre. Country File. Ghana. 1999-2000.
West Africa [London]. 1999-2000
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