A nominee to the Supreme Court, Sir Dennis Dominic Adjie, has expressed worry over the inconsistencies in Ghana's 1992 constitution regarding the age of sexual consent and the legal age for marriage.
During his vetting in Parliament on Monday, June 16, 2025, Justice Adjei highlighted the discrepancies as a legal and social gap, thereby calling for immediate attention to protect Ghana's youthful population and ensure impactful coherence in the law.
He opined that it is inappropriate for the law to permit individuals to engage in consensual sexual activities at 16 but prohibit the same from marriage until they are 18.
He questioned, "So, if you are 16, and the person voluntarily has sex, you cannot blame any of the parties. But the person cannot marry until 18. What happens within that period, the gap?
He added, "I think in the future we can fill that gap. If you cannot marry, don't have sex. So why can't we make it straightforward 18 years ago?
His comments follow a question asked by the deputy ranking of the Appointments Committee, Madam Patricia Appiagyei, who sought the nominee's views on early child marriage in parts of our Ghanaian communities.
In his view, he supports the defilement laws, which extensively criminalise sexual activity with persons under 16, regardless of gender or consent.
Justoce Dennis Adjei said, "That is why I am happy with the laws on defilement. It is neutral, whether male or female, it is immaterial. Once you have sex with a person under 16, with or without consent, you commit defilement."
According to him, it is imperative to educate the youth on education and skills acquisition before marriage.
"Why can't we wait for the child to get an education, to learn a trade, so that in the future, if there is a dissolution of marriage, the child can survive?" Justice Dennis questioned.
There are so many minors engaging in sexual activities across the country.
The Ghana Statistical Service (GSS) in 2022 reported that about 19% of girls between the ages of 15-19 have been pregnant, with 11% giving birth.
These incidents have taken so many girls out of the school system.
