General News of Friday, 9 April 2004

Source: GNA

Team rescue girl from forced marriage

Anyinasuso (Ash), April 9, GNA - A combined team of personnel from Tepa police, Ahafo-Ano North district office of the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) and the District Girl Education Unit on Tuesday rescued a 16-year-old student from forced marriage at Anyinasuso.

When the team arrived in the town following a tip-off, Zinabu Musah, the junior secondary school girl, who had been confined in a room for three days was about to be sent to her suitor, Issifu Busanga at Bonsu-Nkwanta in the Western Region.

According to some residents of the town, when the relatives of the suitor saw the team, they fled amid jubilation among the people, especially the youth, whilst Zinabu accompanied by family members also left for Tepa. Briefing the GNA on the incident, Mr Anthony Aduku-Aidoo, the District Director of CHRAJ, reminded Ghanaians that under the Children's Act of 1998, Act 560, Section 14 and the 1992 Constitution of Ghana, a person below the age of 18 years cannot be forced into marriage. Zinabu thanked the team for setting her free and said she would continue her education.

Meanwhile, Mr Abu Ibrahim, the father of the girl and Madam Ashietu Ibrahim, her grandmother, who were behind the abortive marriage, have signed an undertaking to be of good behaviour and to ensure that the girl completed her education.