Supreme Court nominee Justice Janapare Adzua Bartels-Kodwhile opposes raising the legal sex age from 16 to 18. She spoke Tuesday before Parliament's Appointments Committee about the marriage and consent age gap. The judge believes schools and learning work better than new laws for protecting children. Another nominee Sir Dennis Dominic Adjei wants lawmakers to close the age difference problem. He thinks the current system puts young people at risk.
Ghana allows teens to have sex at 16 but blocks marriage until 18 years old. Critics say this creates dangerous situations for girls especially. Justice Bartels-Kodwhile argues that changing numbers alone cannot fix social problems. She wants girls to stay in classrooms longer and build life skills first. The nominee calls education a natural way to prevent early pregnancy and marriage.
The Appeals Court judge believes longer schooling delays family planning decisions naturally. She told committee members that even raising ages to 18 or 21 would create similar debates later. Justice Bartels-Kodwhile thinks lawmakers need broader solutions beyond age limit changes. Her approach focuses on empowering young women through knowledge and opportunities.
Ghana allows teens to have sex at 16 but blocks marriage until 18 years old. Critics say this creates dangerous situations for girls especially. Justice Bartels-Kodwhile argues that changing numbers alone cannot fix social problems. She wants girls to stay in classrooms longer and build life skills first. The nominee calls education a natural way to prevent early pregnancy and marriage.
The Appeals Court judge believes longer schooling delays family planning decisions naturally. She told committee members that even raising ages to 18 or 21 would create similar debates later. Justice Bartels-Kodwhile thinks lawmakers need broader solutions beyond age limit changes. Her approach focuses on empowering young women through knowledge and opportunities.
