The chief Zangbalung Bariza, Issahaku Alhassan has expressed fears that forced child marriages were on the ascendency in the northern region of Ghana.
He noted that unlike other urban areas like Accra and in the Ashanti region where the practice had witnessed a decline, same could not be said about the Northern Region.
Speaking at the second northern Ghana sexual and reproductive health conference for young people, Chief Alhassan called for urgent measures to stem the growth.
Former member of the council of state, Vo Naa Mohammed Bawa Baba for his part, urged parents and other stakeholders within the local communities to help in breaking socio- cultural barriers militating against youth development in the region.
He called for awareness creation on sexual and reproductive health rights to help reduce teenage pregnancies and other associated dangers with sex.
Executive director of NORSAC, Alhassan Mohammed Awal, in his remark, explained that the conference sought empower young people especially females on their rights and reproductive health.
He expressed regrets at the increasing rates of abuse and violations by parents and guidance, and stated that it needed to be addressed.
