Ghana calls to raise age of sexual consent to 18 — MyJoyOnline

In Ghana, Emmanuel Asare Owusu, a social work lecturer at the Methodist University Ghana, called for raising the statutory age of sexual consent from 16 to 18. In an opinion column published by MyJoyOnline, he explained that this would align it with the statutory age for marriage.

The author’s arguments

Owusu noted that the difference between the age of sexual consent and the age for marriage has long been discussed by specialists in law, child protection and social work. In his view, determining this age requires taking into account the risks of sexual exploitation and manipulation of children and adolescents, as well as the consequences of early sexual activity for their development.

The author referred to UNICEF’s position that setting the age of sexual consent should also take into account the likelihood of sexual abuse, exploitation and inducing children to engage in sexual acts in exchange for gifts or services. He believes that under conditions of limited support from families and the state, such risks for minors increase.

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Owusu also linked early pregnancy to possible problems accessing prenatal care, stigmatization and financial difficulties. In his assessment, this can create psychological pressure for both the girl and the boy who must take responsibility for the child.

Support for couples under 21

Owusu stressed that raising the age of sexual consent should not lead to excessive criminalization of adolescent behavior. He proposed establishing 18 as the common age of sexual consent and marriage, as this is already the age of majority set in the country.

At the same time, the lecturer opposed raising the age of marriage and sexual consent to 21, which, according to him, was proposed by the Constitutional Review Committee chaired by Professor H. Kwesi Prempeh. For married couples aged 18 to 21, he proposed mandatory consultations with a social worker twice a year. In the author’s view, such support can help young couples resolve conflicts and overcome difficulties in marriage.