13th April, 2016

The Ghanaian Times is alarmed at the increase in child marriage cases in the country, especially in the Northern Region. The paper quotes the Northern Regional Director of the National Population Council, Chief Alhassan Amadu to have expressed worry about the rate at which parents in the region give out their children for marriage. It says the act which was practised by some communities in the olden days is on the rise because of severe poverty as parents give out their children for money. The paper describes the act as not only illegal but an impediment in the development of the future of these young girls as they are taken out of school to be married off. The Times finds the situation very alarming and urges all civil society groups to rise up against such obnoxious practice and halt it.

The Daily Graphic urges the state apparatus to bring public officials who are pocketing public funds to book to serve as a deterrent to those who intend to do likewise. The Paper says the Legislature is clothed with adequate power to ensure the prosecution of those who embezzle public funds because as part of their mandate, members of parliament are empowered to hold the executive accountable. Accounting to the Graphic, in order not to render the work of the Public Accounts Committee useless, the axe should be made to fall on those who steal public funds.

The Daily Heritage commends President Mahama for springing a surprise on social media with an advertisement urging Ghanaians to take active part in the upcoming limited registration exercise to be embarked upon by the Electoral Commission. The Paper says it is a welcome development to see the President directly involved in a commercial to whip up support for such an exercise and other activities embarked upon by the EC. According to the Heritage, it will encourage all to take part in the exercise for verification of voter details.

GBC